Austin, Texas ? Texas guard Varez Ward and forward Shawn Williams have been granted medical-hardship waivers from the Big 12 for last season, allowing them to keep a year of eligibility.

Ward will be a third-year sophomore next season, and Williams will be a red-shirt freshman, Texas officials said Thursday.

Ward started Texas’ first three games then ruptured his right quadriceps tendon in pregame warmups and missed the rest of the season. Williams injured his left ankle in December and needed surgery that ended his season.