MIAMI — Chris Bosh is back on the basketball court, dropping a big hint that he plans to try playing for the Miami Heat again this season.
Bosh released a video Monday on Snapchat of him going through a non-contact workout, including some shooting and dribbling. It’s the first time this off-season that he’s revealed doing any on-court work, and it remains unknown if he has been medically cleared to resume full workouts after each of his last two seasons were cut short by the formation of blood clots.
"I know I’ve been gone for a moment but now I’m back," Bosh said on the video, a part of which was later posted to Twitter . "Everybody is always asking me, ‘Am I hoopin’?’ Yes, I’m hoopin’. Absolutely. I’m a hooper."
Bosh has been in California in recent weeks, though it was not immediately clear where the video was taken. There’s also no mention of the Heat on the video, nor is there any suggestion that he’ll join teammates for unofficial workouts before training camp begins in late September.
Bosh’s season ended in February at the All-Star break. His status has been a mystery since, and in numerous blog and social-media posts Bosh has made in recent months he’s offered no substantial updates about his health or his future.
It’s also unknown if Bosh is still on bloodthinners. Typically, athletes in contact sports such as basketball are discouraged from playing while on bloodthinners because of the increased threat of serious complications.
The Heat have been in wait-and-see mode regarding Bosh for some time. Managing general partner Micky Arison listed Bosh among returning veterans in a letter he wrote to fans earlier this month, and Heat President Pat Riley said in July that the team would be open to a Bosh return.
"It’s a positive environment right now with Chris," Riley said last month. "I think his doctors and our doctors are constantly, or moreso now than ever, communicating. I know what Chris wants. I know he wants to play. And obviously we would be open to that, but this is still a very fluid situation."
Bosh has missed 65 games over the past two seasons, largely because of the clot problems. He averaged 19.1 points per game last season, and is owed about $76 million over the three remaining years of his contract.
Bosh and Udonis Haslem are the only two players remaining from Miami’s last NBA title team in 2013. The Heat underwent a massive overhaul this summer, most notably with Dwyane Wade leaving Miami after 13 seasons to sign with the Chicago Bulls.
