Dwyane Wade was able to fight through the pain to help bring the Miami Heat another NBA championship, but the Heat star won’t be able to make it through the Summer. Wade announced today that he’ll be undergoing knee surgery and will not play in the 2012 London Olympics.
ESPN reports that Wade called USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski on Thursday to tell them about his situation. Wade said that he played through pain through much of the post-season and that he is currently scheduling a surgery on his knee.
Wade played at the 2004 Olympics in Athens where Team USA took home the Bronze. He also led the team in scoring during the 2008 Olympics when Team USA took home Gold.
After the NBA Finals, Wade acknowledged that missing the 2012 Olympics was a possibility.
Wade said:
“I’ve got to make a decision on what my knee needs and what’s best, because my career and finishing my career strong is what’s important to me… And I know, yeah, the Olympics are coming up. It’s something I really want to do. But at the same time, if I have to make a big decision, if something has to happen surgery-wise, that will have to be a step I have to take. My loyalty and my commitment to Miami Heat basketball is the No. 1 thing.”
In addition to Wade, the Men’s US Olympic Basketball team will be vying for a medal without Derick Rose and Dwight Howard.