Former NBA Player Scot Pollard Finds Donor for New Heart, Undergoes Transplant Surgery

Scot Pollard has a new heart.

After a long wait, a heart donor was found for former Kansas Jayhawks star and NBA veteran Scot Pollard, allowing the former center to undergo successful transplant surgery, his wife Dawn Pollard posted on social media Friday.

“Scot has a new heart! Surgery went well and I’ve been told the heart is big, powerful and is a perfect fit,” she wrote. “Now on to the crucial part of recovery. Thank you to everyone for the continued prayers and support, but most of all, deepest thanks to the donor, our hero.”

Scot has a new heart! Surgery went well and I’ve been told the heart is big, powerful and is a perfect fit! Now on to the crucial part of recovery. Thank you to everyone for the continued prayers and support, but most of all, deepest thanks to the donor, our hero. @ScotPollard31

— Dawn Pollard (@DawnMPollard) February 17, 2024

The Pollard family announced Scot needed a heart transplant in January due to a genetic heart issue that stemmed from a virus he contracted in 2021. Pollard’s father, Pearl Pollard, died from a similar condition in 1991.

Pollard was admitted to intensive care on Feb. 7 and had been waiting for a new heart for his 6’ 11” frame ever since.

Pollard played four seasons for Kansas from 1993 to ‘97 and was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the No. 19 pick in the ’97 NBA draft. Pollard went on to play 11 seasons for the Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, capping off his career by winning a championship with Boston in 2008.

After his playing career, Pollard was a contestant on the 32nd season of the CBS reality competition show Survivor and was voted out on Day 27.