Denver Nuggets forward Nene may resume practicing in early April, the team's strength coach said.

Nene tore ligaments in his right knee in the team's season opener against the San Antonio Spurs.

Strength coach Steve Hess said he has worked with about 30 players with similar injuries, but has never seen a recovery faster than Nene's. Nene spends between 90 minutes and three hours six days a week rehabilitating his knee and working out.

Hess recently measured Nene at 264 pounds, with 9 percent body fat, compared with 268 pounds and 11 percent body fat in early November.

"You tell me how many people doing rehab drop their body fat," Hess said. "[Nene] looks unbelievable. His body fat is down, he's totally into it. He's restructuring his whole body."

The team has not set a return date for Nene.

"My goal has always been to get back on the court, at least practicing with the team, this season," Nene said in an e-mail to The Denver Post. "Once I am back on the practice court, we will see how I am from there."

Nene becomes a restricted free agent this summer, meaning the Nuggets could match any offer made by another team.