Dwyane Wade Undergoes Knee Surgery

The official Heat website announced on Monday that Wade successfully underwent surgery on his left knee. The procedure took 20 minutes and Wade will be able to begin therapy immediately. The surgery was performed by Heat team doctor Harlan Selesnick in Coral Gables, outside of Miami.

The Associated Press reports that Wade’s rehabilitation is expected to take up to eight weeks, meaning that he should have no problem starting the season on time, as hoped.

Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reports that Wade contacted USA Basketball Director Jerry Colangelo and U.S. men’s national team head coach Mike Krzyzewski on Thursday to inform them that he is withdrawing from the team. According to Reynolds, Wade will require knee surgery this offseason due to damage sustained over the duration of the lockout-shortened 2011-12 NBA season and playoffs.

The loss of Wade, who won gold in Beijing in 2008, is certainly a blow to the U.S. squad, but the roster is very deep in what may be the last year of a true basketball “Dream Team.” The London Games will reportedly be the last time that NBA superstars over the age of 23 will head to the Olympics to represent the United States.

Wade played with knee issues throughout the playoffs and he told the Associated Press those issues may keep him out of the 2012 London Olympics.

For more on Team USA as it gears up for the London Olympics, be sure to stay tuned to this StoryStream.