As the music played and the crowed cheered the pregame introductions at Sunday's Dakota Wizards game, Renaldo Major sat at the scorers' table and took it all in.

"Man, I miss this," he said.

Less than a year ago, Major was the center of attention at the Civic Center, leading the Wizards to the D-League championship.

But on Sunday Major - who is still recovering from heart surgery - was there as a fan, cheering on his former teammates and enjoying the atmosphere.

Last year's defensive player of the year ate some popcorn, waved to fans who made a sign welcoming him back to Bismarck and exchanged good-natured banter with friends on both teams. He even went out on the court and did the chicken dance with the kids.

But as for returning to the game he loves, Major says that will probably take at least another month, maybe more.

That means the chance for a comeback this season is slim - but still possible.

"It's healing well," Major said. "It's getting better every day. I'm starting to wake up without soreness.

"I'm thinking more logically about holding off this season, but you never know,"he added. "Next month I could be healed. I'm not saying I'm coming back, but I'm not ruling anything out."

For now, Major is planning on spending at least the next two to three weeks in Bismarck. He'll get some therapy with Wizards trainer Ray Hall, catch up with old friends and start enjoying basketball again.

"Getting around the guys, that will be good, and that will help me so much mentally," Major said. "I'm loved at home - my family members and everybody else - but I've been missing basketball.

"I've been missing the fans, and the kids here - I've just been missing this place."

Major was working with the Denver Nuggets last September when they found that he had been born with a heart murmur and was having trouble with one of his valves.

Surgery was necessary, and Major had the operation in October. Though Major said the doctors have given him clearance on his heart, he won't be ready to play until his sternum heals. How long that takes remains to be seen.

"The way I play, attacking the basket and being aggressive, I don't want to come back too soon and reinjure myself," Major said. "Next thing you know, I might have to take a whole year off instead of six to eight months."

Major has been doing light workouts - some jogging, some pool work. But he says he hasn't touched a basketball since September. Although he has kept in touch with former teammates like Rod Benson and Kevin Lyde on the Wizards, he's mostly stayed away from hoops during his recuperation.

"I miss basketball," Major said. "I haven't even watched it on TV lately. I haven't been watching college or NBA. I've just been keeping my mind off it.

"It's hard when you want to be out there. Iaccept all things. I'm a man of God, and I know God has a plan for all of us, so I accept his will."