WASHINGTON, July 27(Xinhuanet)-- Denver Nuggets coach George Karl will undergo prostate cancer surgery Thursday, it was reported by the Denver Post on Tuesday.

The newspaper said Karl would have the operation in Salt Lake City, Utah, and that he has known about the diagnosis since April.

Karl, 54, took over the Nuggets on January 27, the third coach of the season for the Nuggets. The club went 32-8 under Karl and reached the NBA playoffs, losing in the first round to eventual NBA champion San Antonio.

Karl has a 740-507 record over parts of 17 season with Cleveland, Golden State, Seattle, Milwaukee and Denver. He has guided each of those teams into the playoffs, including a 1996 NBAFinals run with Seattle.

"You have your down days, but I think I'm going to have some great doctors taking care of me," Karl was quoted as saying."The prognosis is great and my attitude is one where I want to get it over with, rehab and do what I have to do to get 100 percent healthy." Enditem