Nuggets' Brazilian centre Nene Hilario's tumour was benign

According to a statement posted on the Brazilian centre's personal website, the biopsy performed on the tumour by doctors showed that no cancer cells were present.

 Nene, 25, will be able to return to training with the NBA's Denver Nuggets within weeks, the statement said.

 Last week, Nene said he would temporarily leave the team to look after his health, without specifying what kind of problems he was having.

 On Monday, he underwent surgery in Denver to remove the tumour.

 The problem, a testicular tumour, had been diagnosed by the NBA team's doctor, Saurabh Mangalik, during a routine test.

 The Brazilian doctor who performed surgery on Nene, Fernando Kim, told news website G1 on Thursday that the player is in good physical condition following the operation.

 Nene's health problems caused great worry in Brazilian basketball. The national federation said no physical problems were detected in the player when he was evaluated by national team doctors prior to playing a pre-Olympic tournament in Las Vegas in August.

 The centre, whose real name is Maybyner Rodney Hilario, has played for the Nuggets since 2002.

DPA