Former Celtic and ‘Survivor’ contestant Scott Pollard receives heart transplant

NBA champion and “Survivor” contestant Scott Pollard has undergone a heart transplant, his wife said on social media Friday night.

“Scott has a new heart!” Posted by Dawn Pollard on X, Formerly known as Twitter. “I was told that the surgery went well and that my heart was big, strong, and a good fit. Now I move on to the important part of my recovery. Thank you for your continued prayers and support, but most of all to my donors, We are deeply grateful to one of our heroes.”

Ms Pollard, who turned 49 on Monday, required a transplant due to damage to her heart caused by the 2021 virus. The virus likely caused a genetic disease that Scott had known about since he lost his father, 54, when he was 16 years old. Mr. Pollard’s size is complicated. He is working to find a donor with a heart large enough to fit his 6-foot-11, 260-pound frame.

Early Friday morning, Dawn Pollard posted that her heart had been found.

“It’s time!” she posted to X. “Please continue to pray for Scott, the surgeon, and the donor and his family who have lost his loved one. This donor gave the greatest gift of his life and we are forever grateful. I am.”

Pollard was drafted in the first round of the 1997 draft after helping Kansas reach the NCAA Sweet 16 for four straight seasons. He was a useful big man off the bench for most of his NBA career, which spanned 11 years and five teams. He played 55 seconds in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA Finals appearance in 2007, and despite his season-ending ankle injury in February, he won a championship with the Boston Celtics the following year. Ta.

Pollard retired after that season and then dabbled in broadcasting and acting. He was a contestant on the 32nd season of “Survivor,” but was voted out on the 27th day when only eight castaways remained.

Pollard disclosed her symptoms last month and began the process of getting herself listed at a transplant center. He was admitted to the intensive care unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on February 7th.

“I’ll be here until they find my heart,” he told The Associated Press in a text message from his hospital room in Nashville, Tennessee. “My heart has become weak. (Doctors) agree that this is the best way to help my heart recover quickly.”