Dwight Howard has been cleared to play with Team USA as they start their preparations for the Beijing Olympics.

He suffered a fracturd sternum and missed the first training camp.

“I’ve been cleared to play,” Howard said after a workout at the Orlando Magic practice facility. “It bothered me a lot. I tried to play as much as I could through the pain in the playoffs. I didn’t know what it was until after the playoffs.”

Read more: Howard says he’s ready for first U.S. basketball practice