Heralded Washington center Hawes sidelined 2-4 weeks

SEATTLE -- Washington's heralded freshman center Spencer Hawes will have arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday and is expected to miss two to four weeks.

The 7-footer is to have a loose particle removed from his right knee. Coach Lorenzo Romar said Tuesday a full timetable for Hawes' return won't be determined until the day after the operation at the earliest.

"This is obviously a setback for Spencer and our program," Romar said. "But we are very optimistic based on what we have been told that he shouldn't be out for very long."

Hawes was the centerpiece of Washington's recruiting class and was rated the No. 2 prospect in the country by some recruiting services. The Seattle player was part of the McDonald's All-America team and played under Romar as part of the U.S. team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championships last summer.