Dwyane Wade needs surgery on his ailing left knee and will not play in next month's London Olympics.
The Miami Heat guard called USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski on Thursday to break the news, which was not totally unexpected after Wade played through pain in the NBA playoffs.
He appeared in all 23 Heat playoff games despite the knee problems, averaging 22.6 points during the five-game win over Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals.
"I've decided to listen to my doctors and get the procedure I need on my knee," Wade told The Associated Press.
"USA Basketball said I had to do what was best for me. They want me to be obviously as healthy as possible so I can continue to play this game at a high level. They were very supportive and told me if I ever want to come around the team, I'm welcome and that I'm part of the family."
Wade has been told it will be basically a "cleanup" procedure and should have him on crutches for only about a day afterwards.
ade said.
His departure leaves 17 players in contention for 12 spots on the US Olympic team. That group convenes in Las Vegas next week to start training camp, then has five exhibitions with international teams before opening Olympic play against France on July 29.
Wade was the leading scorer for the US team on the way to gold at the Beijing Games four years ago, and he hoped to be part of defending that title in London.
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