Alonzo Mourning can stand the heat and will stay in the kitchen.

The Miami Heat picked up their team option on Mourning's contract for the 2005-06 NBA season.

"We are extremely excited about the fact that Zo wants to continue his career in Miami and we feel his decision to come back is going to be critical toward our success and goal of winning an NBA championship," said HEAT President Pat Riley. "We have the utmost respect for Alonzo and he deserves to be part of this championship run."

Mourning returned to the Heat on March 1 after playing in New Jersey and then being traded and bought out by the Toronto Raptors. Last season for Miami he averaged 7.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 19.0 minutes per game.

Before playing for the Nets, Mourning was with the Heat for eight seasons.

Mourning ranks sixth in NBA history in blocks per game, 14th in total blocks (1,963) and 29th in field goal percentage (52.3%).

With Eddie Jones gone and Jason Williams, Antoine Walker and James Posey added to the team, the Heat have plenty of different parts this upcoming season. Though, Mourning's role remains the same. He'll serve as Shaquille O'Neal's backup, and will also play backup power forward. Occasionally, Zo and Shaq are together on the floor at the same time.