Greg Oden had revealed that he is excited to return to the court in the NBA for the first time in almost four years.

The first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft joined the Miami Heat in the summer but has yet to prove his fitness to the team's staff ahead of the new season.

"The next step for me now is just doing some five-on-five work and just getting out there," Oden told ESPN.

"Every little step for me, I just get excited. I just want to get out there and do more and more, get my wind back, get my legs back under me.

"I'm hoping in the next couple of weeks I'll be able to get a couple of minutes out there."

However, the 25-year-old conceded that he must be patient as he looks to justify Erik Spoelstra's faith in him.

"For me, if it doesn't go right, where am I going to be at? So caution, making sure I'm able to play and actually prolong my legs, is my main goal," Oden added.

The Heat begin their season against the Chicago Bulls on October 29.