Dwyane Wade to Skip 2012 London Olympics Due to Knee Injury
UPDATE: Thursday, June 28th at 4:07 p.m. by Bryan Mazique
It's official, Dwyane Wade will miss the Olympic Games, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.
"AP: Dwyane Wade called Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski today to withdraw from Olympic team. He will need knee surgery.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 28, 2012"
Wade is just the most recent star to bow out from the Olympics because of injury. Considering the team will already be without Bulls' star Derrick Rose, the American backcourt is beginning to look a little flimsy.
------End of Update--------
After playing with knee pain en route to the second NBA championship of his career, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade may have to miss the London Olympics, according to the Associated Press, via NBCSports.com.
Wade, who had surgery on his left knee in May 2007, reportedly had his knee drained in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers this season.
Wade said, via NBCSports.com:
"I was playing in a lot of pain. Obviously, my knee has been an issue. I sat down with the doctors a little bit during the Indiana series and talked about the possibility of what's to come. But I didn't want to think about it then. I said, `Listen, let's just do what we have to do to make sure that I can give my all.' And they did that. I thank them for that.
"
Wade, who will undergo an MRI exam in the next few days, averaged 22.8 points in 23 playoff games this season and scored 20 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday when the Heat clinched the title. He led USA Basketball in scoring during the Beijing Olympics in 2008, averaging 16 points off the bench.
The 30-year-old admitted that surgery might be a possibility this offseason, saying "my career and finishing my career strong is what's important to me."
The Americans start training camp on July 7 in Las Vegas, with the Olympics beginning on July 27. Especially after a condensed NBA season following the lockout, it may be asking a lot for Wade to join the team by then.
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