ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Orlando Magic forward Grant Hill will not attempt a comeback this season, deciding to give his injured left ankle more time to heal with a goal toward returning to the court next season, his agent said.

Hill’s agent, Lon Babby, told Florida Today on Monday that the five-time All-Star will continue rehabilitating and hopes to return when the Magic open training camp for the 2004-2005 season in October.

A message left with Babby’s office Monday night was not immediately returned.

Hill had hoped to play in a few games at the end of the season, but examinations performed at Duke University last weekend showed the ankle hasn’t completely healed.

Hill’s ankle has been surgically repaired four times in the last four years, limiting him to 47 games since signing with the Magic in 2000.

Team spokesman Joel Glass said Magic general manager John Gabriel could not immediately be reached to comment on the report late Monday.

The team had hoped to gather its medical staff, Hill and Gabriel for a meeting Monday to decide the best course of action. But Glass said the meeting could not be arranged.

Hill sustained a stress fracture while playing for the Detroit Pistons in the 2000 playoffs. The last surgery, performed in March 2003, was the most comprehensive – doctors broke a bone in his heel to better align the ankle.

Hill’s absence is crippling the Magic on the court and off.

The team has yet to put together a solid supporting cast for guard Tracy McGrady, who signed at the same time as Hill. Also, Hill’s contract – $93 million for seven years – severely handicaps the team in signing players.