Less than six months after undergoing heart surgery, rookie French forward Rony Turiaf signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Turiaf, who was selected in the second round of the 2005 draft, was diagnosed with an enlarged aortic root last summer and underwent surgery on July 26 to repair the root and preserve his aortic valve.

Doctors estimated his recovery time at between six and 12 months, but Turiaf has made a faster-than-expected return.

The forward out of Gonzaga University was named West Coast Conference Player of the Year his senior season, averaging 15.9 points and 9.5 rebounds.

He ranks fourth all-time at Gonzaga in scoring (1,723 points), rebounds (859) and blocks (179) and is the all-time leader in free throws (643).

Turiaf was a member of the French National Team at the 2003 EuroBasket in Sweden.

Most recently, Turiaf played for the Yakima Sun Kings of the Continental Basketball Association, where he averaged 13.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in nine games.

Turiaf will become the fifth French player to play in the NBA, following on from Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), Boris Diaw (Atlanta), Mickael Pietrus (Golden State Warriors) and John Petro (Seattle).