eleven years NBA veteran Scot Pollard received a heart transplant, his wife posted on social media Friday.
Pollard, 49, who played for five teams in his career, needed a heart transplant due to a genetic condition that was likely caused by a virus he contracted in 2021. The condition causes his heart to beat 10,000 times faster a day. His father, who died when Pollard was 16, suffered from the same condition, according to the Associated Press.
Former Sacramento King Scot Pollard addresses fans before the Sacramento Kings take on the San Antonio Spurs at Sleep Train Arena on February 27, 2015, in Sacramento, California. (Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
On Friday, Pollard's wife, Dawn, posted that a donor had been found.
FORMER NBA VETERAN SCOT POLLARD HOSPITALIZED WHILE WAITING FOR NECESSARY TRANSPLANTATION: 'I'LL STAY HERE UNTIL I HAVE A HEART'
“Scot wanted me to let everyone know that the previous heart transplant The hair is gone, it's time to go! Please continue to pray for Scot, the surgeons, for the donor and his family who lost their loved one. “This donor gave the most incredible gift of life and we will be forever grateful,” Dawn Pollard wrote.
Dawn posted later on Friday that the surgery had been successful.
“Scot has a new heart! The surgery went well and I'm told the heart is big, powerful and fits perfectly. Now let's move on to the crucial part of recovery,” Dawn wrote. “Thank you all for the continued prayers and support, but most of all, our deepest thanks to the donor, our hero.”
Former NBA player Scott Pollard thrills the crowd during the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings on April 9, 2016, at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. (Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Earlier this month, Pollard was admitted to the intensive care unit of a Tennessee hospital waiting for a donor.
“I'm staying here until I have a heart,” Pollard told the AP by text message. “My heart became weak. (Doctors) agree that this is my best chance to get my heart racing.”
Pollard said his health has been a concern of his for a long time, and the same thing that helped launch his career path – his height – was what made finding a suitable donor a challenge.
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Scot Pollard, number 31 of the Sacramento Kings, smiles before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers circa 1999 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. (Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Pollard was a first-round pick out of Kansas in the 1997 NBA Draft. He is best known for his time with the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings, but also spent time with the Detroit PistonsCleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
Pollard was a member of the 2007-2008 Celtics team that won a nba championshipalthough he only appeared in 22 games due to season-ending ankle surgery.
He averaged 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in his career.
Ryan Gaydos of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
