MIAMI (AP) – Alonzo Mourning once was larger than life, the Miami Heat’s biggest star. Now, even he acknowledges those days are gone.

Yet Mourning also steadfastly believes he can still play at a championship-caliber level. And now, at last, he’s back with Miami and ready to resume his past quest – delivering the Heat’s first NBA title.

The seven-time All-Star center signed a contract Tuesday to rejoin Miami, the team with whom he spent eight previous seasons – a stint twice interrupted by kidney disease. He’s expected to make about $325,000 for the rest of the season, a prorated share of the $1.1 million minimum veteran contract.

“It’s definitely been a long time coming,” the 35-year-old Mourning said after a two-hour practice and 30 minutes of extra shooting drills Tuesday. “It just feels good, feels good to be back home, having everything finalized. I’ve been here for the past three months training, just waiting, being patient.”

Mourning should be in uniform Thursday when Miami visits New Jersey. He averaged 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 18 games for the Nets earlier this season.

To clear a roster spot, Miami waived forward Wesley Person, who played only 27 minutes since Dec. 4 and was displeased with his diminished role. Person may soon sign with the Denver Nuggets.

Teammates gave high marks after Mourning’s first full workout.

“He’s just going to make us a tougher team to beat,” said center Shaquille O’Neal.

“When Shaq goes to the bench, we don’t have that presence,” added guard Dwyane Wade. “Plus, he’s very strong. It’s going to be great.”

Mourning, who underwent a kidney transplant in December 2003, said he’s received full clearance by doctors to resume playing. Dr. Gerald Appel, a kidney specialist at Columbia University Medical Center, said Mourning is in better shape now than at any time in the last 41/2 years.

“He is cleared to do whatever he needs to do,” said Appel, Mourning’s primary physican. “On the other hand, if you asked me what I would like him to do, I would like him to play 20 minutes a game, not 40 minutes a game.”

Miami (42-16) entered Tuesday five games ahead of Detroit in the Eastern Conference, and 91/2 games up on Washington in the Southeast Division. Miami hasn’t been shy about tweaking its roster – last week, another Heat alum, guard Steve Smith, was acquired from Charlotte.

Smith enhances Miami’s perimeter rotation, but adding the 6-foot-10, 261-pound Mourning could create serious matchup problems for opponents – especially if he and O’Neal are on the court together.

“He’s still a very good defender and shot blocker. … Those are the two main areas I look for, his defense and his rebounding,” Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. “As far as minutes and that, or role, or who’s going to come off the bench first in the long run, I don’t have any idea.”

Van Gundy said he won’t immediately thrust Mourning into a key role in the rotation.

“When we play on Thursday, I’m going to go to the guys we’ve been going to who have won games,” he said.

The Mourning deal was long expected, but was delayed by negotiations with Person on a buyout.

Mourning – who has career averages of 19.8 points and 9.6 rebounds – came to Miami in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets before the 1995-96 season. The Heat later signed him to a $105 million, seven-year deal.

He helped Miami to four 50-win seasons, including a 61-21 mark in 1996-97, losing to Chicago in the East finals – a playoff round the Heat hasn’t seen since.

“This is a small window of opportunity. The opportunity for me to play this game is closing,” Mourning said. “And I wanted to be in a situation that would benefit me the most.”

Mourning missed the 2002-03 season, his last with Miami, because of his kidney problems.

He signed a $22.6 million, four-year deal with New Jersey, but the Nets soon fell from title contention. Mourning briefly retired after the transplant, yet returned this season and asked to play for a contender.

New Jersey traded him to Toronto, part of the deal bringing Vince Carter to the Nets. Mourning never reported to the Raptors, who bought him out for $9 million to $10 million – and the Heat gladly welcomed their former cornerstone home.

“I’ve been given another opportunity,” Mourning said. “I’m going to treasure it like it’s my last.”

AP-ES-03-01-05 1938EST