Air Jordan — One More Return Flight Michael Jordan Returning to Wizards for Second Season By Joseph White The Associated Press W A S H I N G T O N, Sept. 26 — Michael Jordan plans to play anothe= r season with the Washington Wizards, saying he's physically and mentally= ready to return for the second year of his contract with the team. = = Print This Page = Email This Page = See Most Sent = = = = • Exclusive: Man Says He was Central Park Rapist = • Questions About Your Sex Life? E-Mail Us = • Is the Denim Craze Too Much of a Good Thing? = = = "My love for the game of basketball continues to drive my decision," he s= aid in a statement released today by the Wizards. "Physically I am feelin= g very strong, and feel that the steps I took in the off-season have allo= wed me to return to the game in great condition." Jordan, 39, averaged 22.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Wi= zards last season, his first since retiring from the Chicago Bulls 3 =BD = years earlier. Jordan has averaged 31 points during his career, which includes 13 All-St= ar appearances and six championships with the Bulls. = Injuries Plagued First Season Back Jordan missed 22 games with knee problems last season, but said during th= e off-season that he planned to fulfill his two-year contract with the Wi= zards if he felt physically able. This season will be his 15th in the NBA= =2E Wizards coach Doug Collins has said he plans to use Jordan off the bench = for the first time in his career. But in his statement, Jordan said, "No = decisions have been made as to my exact role on the team." The Wizards were active in the off-season, acquiring Jerry Stackhouse in = a trade with the Detroit Pistons and signing Larry Hughes, a free agent f= rom the Golden State Warriors. = = Copyright 2002 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material m= ay not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. = Roger EWROPS