Report: Emeka Okafor ready for NBA return, has been in touch with teams

Former NBA Rookie of the Year Emeka Okafor has been cleared medically to pursue a return to basketball, and is working out toward that goal, sources told Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press on Tuesday.

He has already been in contact with some teams, according to Krawczynski.

Okafor last played in 2012-13 with the Washington Wizards, and has been dealing with the effects of a herniated disc in his neck since. Reports surfaced last year that he intended to mount an NBA comeback, but wasn't yet physically ready.

The 6-foot-10, 250-pound center turns 35 in September. He won Rookie of the Year honors with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004-05, and was a solid nine-year pro who averaged 12.3 points and 9.9 rebounds in 590 games.