Mourning plans to return to NBA Heat next season
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-08-19 10:13

MIAMI (AFP) - Alonzo Mourning, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2003, will return to play for the Miami Heat next season in a bid to capture an elusive National Basketball Association championship.

The Heat picked up the option on the 35-year-old center's contract in June but left the decision of whether or not to return to Mourning, whose kidney disorder has kept him to limited playing time over the past five years.

"We feel his decision to come back is going to be critical toward our success and goal of winning an NBA championship," Heat president Pat Riley said. "He deserves to be part of this championship run."

Mourning will again serve as a backup to star center Shaquille O'Neal. Last season he managed 7.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 37 games.

"I am very excited about returning to the Heat this season and I remain more committed than ever to bring a championship to Miami," Mourning said.

All-Star guard Dwyane Wade suffered a hip injury with Miami one game from reaching the NBA Finals, but the Heat lost the Eastern Conference finals in seven games to Detroit.

Diagnosed with focal glomerulosclerosis in 2000, Mourning missed most of that season and all of the 2002-03 campaign with the disease.

New Jersey signed Mourning as a free agent in July 2003. Five months later, he had a kidney transplant and missed the rest of the season.

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