Turiaf will play for Yakama Sun Kings

Ronny Turiaf never doubted that he'd play basketball again.

The former Gonzaga star, who underwent open-heart surgery in July, has been cleared to play by doctors and is expected to sign with the Yakama Sun Kings today as part of his rehabilitation before he signs with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I'm excited to move forward. This is Step 1 of my rehab," Turiaf said before Tuesday's Sun Kings Continental Basketball Association game against the Dakota Wizards at the SunDome.

The 6-foot-9 Turiaf, who was in Spokane on Monday to watch Gonzaga play Eastern Washington, arrived in Yakima about 45 minutes before the game.

The Sun Kings were unable to finalize contract details in time for Turiaf to play Tuesday. His first game likely will be Monday when Yakama plays Idaho in Boise. His first game at the SunDome is the following night against Idaho.

"He's an NBA talent and, from what I hear, as good a player as he is, he's twice as good a person," Sun Kings general manager Rich Austin said.

Turiaf is simply looking forward to playing again, something he hasn't done since Gonzaga was eliminated from the NCAA tournament in March. The power forward was drafted 37th overall by the Lakers in June's NBA draft. During a required physical before signing his contract, an enlarged aortic root was found, requiring surgery in July.

"It's been difficult because I'm such a competitor," Turiaf said of not being able to play. "But I understand it's part of the process after heart surgery."

Turiaf has no timetable for joining the Lakers. The Los Angeles Times reported that he is still at least two weeks away from joining the team.

For now, he's content to just fit in with his new team, which has the best record in the CBA.

"I just want to play the way I know I can play and try and make them better," he said. "It just feels good to be part of a team."

Doctors cleared Turiaf to begin working out a couple of months ago, and he was given the OK to play in the past week.

"After the surgery, I had confidence I would return," Turiaf said.

That was also the thinking of Sun Kings officials when they selected him in the fifth round of the CBA draft in September.

Turiaf's rights remain with the Lakers as an unsigned draft pick. The Sun Kings know this is a short-term situation, but know the benefits of having Turiaf on the team.

"How long he's here is up to the Lakers but he's a welcome addition," Yakama coach Paul Woolpert said. "He's probably the best player to come out of Gonzaga since a guy named John Stockton."