Young French center Ronny Turiaf has already resumed light training just one month after undergoing an operation on his heart.

The Los Angeles Lakers player was diagnosed last month with an aortic problem which counted him out of any participation at EuroBasket 2005 with the French national team.

The problem was found by American doctors after Turiaf, 22, signed a two-year contract with the Lakers at the start of July.

He underwent an operation on July 26, and less than a month later he has already resumed cycling and is attending his alma mater, Gonzaga University, every day to do light physical activities.

"My body was asking me to play basketball," he said, "but for now I don't run and I don't shoot. I take my time because my heart is still beating very fast when I make a physical effort.

"But I am confident and determined to show everyone that a player can come back from a heart operation. I will play basketball again."

Before the operation there were some fears Turiaf might not play again, while other doctors estimated his time out at anywhere between six months and a year.

His swift return has surprised everyone except the player himself.

"There is nothing surprising for me," he added in L'Equipe. "Three days after the operation I walked 10 steps in my hospital bedroom and the next day I did 12.

"Then I started walking in the corridors with the help of my mother and the nurses. I am very well supported."

Turiaf will undergo further medical examinations at the start of November.

If the results are positive he could join the Lakers at the end of that month and gradually resume training with them throughout December.

"I feel fine," he added, "even if I am still very tired and too thin. I lost 11 kilos.

"The pain I felt after the operation has gone. Before it was like something wanted to come out of my chest. I always had to stay on my back.

"Now it's a bit painful in the morning when I wake up but I don't take any pain killers anymore. I was so scared not to be able to play basketball again that seeing how well I have recovered makes me feel very happy.

"I have never been so motivated in my life. I feel I am back already."