Ex-Celtics champion reveals he is on waiting list for heart transplant
Dec 17, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics logo is seen before their game against the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
A former champion for the Boston Celtics is sharing some difficult health news this week.
Retired ex-NBA big man Scot Pollard shared to his X account on Wednesday that he is on the waiting list for a heart transplant. Pollard revealed the news in apparent response to rumors circulating online that he was somehow faking a health condition.
“Ever been on a heart transplant list and then have someone say you’re faking it? It’s super weird,” he wrote. “Have a nice Wednesday everyone! This photo is from a while back when I was in the emergency heart center, keeping my fake story straight. I’m home now waiting for a donor.”
Ever been on a heart transplant list and then have someone say you’re faking it? It’s super weird. Have a nice Wednesday everyone! This photo is from a while back when I was in the emergency heart center, keeping my fake story straight….😂
I’m home now waiting for a donor pic.twitter.com/wc3VqWz0X6— Scot Pollard (@ScotPollard31) January 10, 2024
Pollard’s wife Dawn also shared further details, saying that her husband had undergone many health difficulties over the course of the last three years.
3 failed heart ablations, pacemaker/defibrillator, all the drugs and side effects, heart biopsies, heart catheter tests, CT/MRI scans, countless viles of blood taken, ER trips, myocarditis, pericarditis-all over the past 3 years…and now heart transplant list. Yep, fake story pic.twitter.com/yUO6MFR7jC
— Dawn Pollard (@DawnMPollard) January 10, 2024
It is unclear where the untrue rumors about Pollard’s condition came from. But both Pollard and his wife are leaving no doubts here that his situation is very real.
Now 48 years old, Pollard played as a backup center for 11 NBA seasons from 1997-2008. He spent time with the Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Celtics. Pollard averaged 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for his career but was also part of some memorable playoff runs (including going to the Western Conference Finals with the Kings in 2002, going to the NBA Finals with the Cavaliers in 2007, and finally winning a ring with the Celtics in his final NBA season in 2008). He was listed at 6-foot-11 and 278 pounds during his playing career.
Also a four-year standout at the University of Kansas, Pollard went on to compete on the 32nd season of the popular CBS show “Survivor” in 2016. Pollard made headlines in more recent years as well with his criticisms of certain NBA superstars.