Israel Gutierrez of the Miami Herald is reporting that Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning is contemplating a return to NBA basketball next season.

Mourning, 33, reiterated that he intends to play next season and that he wants to play.

''My intentions are to play. The only thing that can stop me is my body,'' Mourning told The Associated Press. ``Other than that, I know I can play.''

Questions remain whether or not Mourning, if able to return, would return to play for the Miami Heat. In February, Miami head coach Pat Riley said he would hope Mourning would remain loyal to the organization since they have been loyal to him. He also implied that he would like Mourning to sign for much less than the $20.6 million dollar salary he was paid this past season.

''I'd like to sit down and talk to him, but I don't think right now is the time to discuss it,'' Riley said. ``I'm encouraged by the fact that he wants to play, and if he's healthy enough to play, obviously we want to sit down and talk to our franchise player.''