Former NBA center Scott Pollard receives heart transplant

NBA champion and “Survivor” contestant Scott Pollard “woke up and felt great” the day after his heart transplant, his wife said on social media Saturday.

“Scots have a new heart!” Dawn Pollard posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday night. “They said the surgery went well and my heart was big, strong and a good fit. Now it’s time to move on to the important part of my recovery.”

She posted an update on Saturday, writing: His breathing tube was removed early this morning, and he began jokingly singing, “I left my heart in San Fran, Nashville.” We are all amazed at how far Scotland has recovered! ”

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 advance to 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’ 2007 NBA Finals appearance, 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.”