Rajon Rondo has insisted that he will not consider returning to the court until he can prove to himself that he is 100% fit.
Speculation about a comeback from a torn ACL grew recently when reports revealed that Rondo took part in some training games with his Boston Celtics teammates.
However, the 27-year-old claims that he cannot begin playing again before he reaches full fitness.
"My endurance is key for me," Rondo told reporters. "I don't want to come back and not be fully 100 percent as far as my health and me being in shape as well.
"The worst thing for me is to not be in shape and have another injury. I want to make sure I'm in basketball condition shape."
When asked if he could set a date for his return, the point guard replied: "It might be mid-January, late February. I'm going to come back when the time is right and when I get my stamina."
Rondo has not played since January of this year.
Callum Mulvihill
