With just a handful of games remaining in the Auburn basketball season, junior forward Vot Barber faced an unappealing set of choices.

Barber could rush his rehab from a broken left hand, returning to the court at far less than 50 percent effectiveness.

Or he could sit out the remainder of the season, apply to the NCAA for a medical redshirt and hope the organization bends its own rules to grant his request.

Thursday, Barber made his choice. He’ll try for the long shot, hoping for a favorable ruling from the NCAA. He won’t play again this season.

Barber’s long rehab had been a major concern for AU through most of the Southeastern Conference season. He broke his left hand Dec. 29 against Towson and hasn’t played since, though Auburn head coach Jeff Lebo originally said he might return by mid-February.

Doctors removed Barber’s cast early this month and cleared him to practice a few days later. But he has struggled to return to his playing form in practice.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen this year, at this point,” Lebo said Thursday. “We’ll probably try the redshirt deal.”

A medical redshirt is far from a guarantee for Barber.

NCAA rules state that Barber wouldn’t be eligible for such a redshirt if he played in more than nine games this season. He broke his hand six minutes into AU’s 10th game.

Barber averaged 13.8 points and 6.9 rebounds through 10 games.

He is the fourth Auburn player to have his season ended prematurely.

Forward Josh Dollard has missed the entire season with what the school refers to as “medical reasons.” Freshman center Boubacar Sylla hasn’t played since Nov. 16, thanks to a stress reaction in his foot. And senior guard Archie Miaway has been academically ineligible all season.

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