Former Indiana Pacers player leaves hospital following heart transplant

Having to put yourself on an organ transplant list to save your life is very scary. Millions of people face this reality every day. Even former athletes sometimes face this reality. This includes a former Indiana Pacers player who needed a new heart.

Former Pacers player Scot Pollard has been in need of a heart for a while. He was admitted to intensive care in early February and was told he needed a new heart to be able to move on again. He waited a little over two weeks before he found an organ donor and was able to obtain one.

Pollard had surgery in mid-February and it was successful. He was slowly trying to get back to normal, which isn’t easy when you have a new heart. Now the best possible thing has happened because Pollard is officially released from the hospital.

Pollard’s wife, Dawn, chronicled Scot’s journey on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. She posted updates every few days and showed the progress he was making. On Thursday, she posted him ringing and leaving the hospital.

It’s obviously great news that Pollard is out of the hospital. He’s only 49 years old, so he should live for a few more decades. Hopefully the new heart gives it just that. He’s a big man, standing at 6’11, which means his heart must be very strong for someone his size.

Pollard joined the Pacers as part of the Brad Miller trade during the 2003-04 season. He played three seasons at Indiana and was a reserve most of the time. He never played more than 17 minutes per game for the Pacers, but he was a rotation center capable of protecting the rim.

In the final season of his NBA career, Pollard won an NBA title with the Boston Celtics. He only appeared in 22 games for them, but still got a ring. I’m sure it’s now the second most precious thing in his life after his brand new heart.