Gonzaga guard Micah Downs emerged from the locker room, took one look at Andrew Sorenson standing before a row of television cameras and let a giant smile spread across his face.

“He’s big time now! ” Downs shouted at Sorenson.

Nah, Sorenson isn’t big time now. Never has been. What Sorenson is now — and never was before — is a scholarship athlete at a big-time basketball school.

Sorenson, the walk-on senior out of Olympia High School who has developed into something of a cult hero at Gonzaga, has been put on full scholarship for the semester.

Assistant coach Tommy Lloyd made the announcement in the locker room after Gonzaga’s win over visiting San Francisco on Saturday.

“I was like, ‘What?’ ” a beaming Sorenson recalled Tuesday at practice. “I’m thinking, ‘No way did he just say that.’

“He said it again, and I lost it (cried). It was pretty unreal. All the guys got around me and started hugging me and smackin’ me on top of my head. ”

Few, if any, little-used reserves have ever been as beloved by teammates, coaches and fans as Sorenson.

A lanky guard with far more heart than skill — “My goal is always to make it on to the floor without tripping ” — Sorenson is a model citizen, excellent student and boundlessly enthusiastic player.

“His contributions to the team may not be seen on the court every night on game night, ” Lloyd said, “but his contributions behind the scenes have been immeasurable.

“He’s a great teammate. He works his butt off every day. He comes ready. He treats every practice like it’s the biggest game of the year. ”

It is a tribute to Sorenson’s dedication and love for Gonzaga that he has spent almost four years playing basketball without a scholarship.

It becomes even more impressive when one considers that Sorenson returned this season after graduating last spring.

“I’ve been blessed that I’ve been able to be here as long as I have, ” Sorenson said.

Gonzaga’s famed Kennel Club student section regularly chants Sorenson’s name at games ( “It gives me goose bumps every time “). Five years ago, Sorenson was part of the Kennel Club after being cut when he tried out for the Bulldogs as a freshman.

“The Kennel Club is the greatest student section, ” Sorenson said. “To have them behind me is flattering. ”

Sorenson, who will remain at Gonzaga next year to complete work on his master’s degree in business administration, figures his total college costs may top $100,000. That excludes academic scholarships and some help from his parents, but includes about $50,000 in student loans.

“‘I’ll be paying for a while, ” he said in his customary upbeat manner.

“He’s a wonderful, wonderful human being, ” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “He’s a great leader by example. Just a warm, warm personality.

“He comes to practice every day and does his job. He inspires other people, including the staff, in how he does his job. ”

Sorenson’s “job ” includes some impressive 3-point shooting this year. After going 1 for 9 from 3-point range last season (he missed his only shot as a sophomore and never left the bench his first year with the team), Sorenson has nailed 6 treys in 10 attempts this season. He’s averaging “career highs ” of 3.2 minutes and 1.8 points per game.

“He’s been shooting it really well, ” Few said.

“I’ve only got a short amount of time left, ” a grinning Sorenson said. “If I’m open, it’s goin’ up. “