Zhang Mingji, the head of "Team Yao", has disclosed that the star player is likely to begin basketball training in eight weeks.

"I believe there is still a possibility for Yao to participate in the World Championships," says Zhang.

According to Zhang, Yao Ming's recovery has gone quite smoothly. The star center will shortly begin physical rehabilitation, with basketball training just eight weeks away.

Zhang confirmed that Yao will return to China in mid June.

Yao Ming, the NBA Houston Rockets center, broke his left foot when a Utah Jazz player stepped on it in the first quarter of a game on April 11th.

The star center had surgery four days later.

The Chinese national team is expected to come together on May 5th to begin preparation for the World Championships in August and the Asian Games in December.

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