Former NBA champion and “Survivor” contestant Scot Pollard is recovering well after undergoing a successful heart transplant, his wife Dawn announced on social media. Pollard, who turned 49 on Monday, needed the transplant due to damage to his heart from a virus he contracted in 2021, which likely triggered a genetic condition he inherited from his father, who passed away at 54. Pollard's size at 6-foot-11 and 260 pounds made it challenging to find a donor with a heart big enough to fit his frame. Dawn Pollard shared updates on social media, expressing gratitude to the donor and their family for giving Scot the "most amazing gift of life."

Pollard, a first-round draft pick in 1997 after a successful college career at Kansas, played in the NBA for 11 years and won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. Despite a season-ending ankle injury, Pollard was a key contributor off the bench and played in the NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007. After retiring from basketball, Pollard dabbled in broadcasting and acting before appearing on "Survivor."

Pollard went public with his heart condition last month and was admitted to the ICU at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in February. He shared his journey on social media, detailing the numerous health issues he faced leading up to the transplant. Dawn Pollard kept friends and fans updated on Scot's progress, sharing that he was awake, feeling great, and even cracking jokes and singing after the breathing tube was removed.

The Pollard family expressed their gratitude for the support and prayers during this challenging time, emphasizing the importance of organ donation and the impact it can have on saving lives. Scot Pollard's successful heart transplant marks a new chapter in his health journey, and he is now focused on the crucial part of recovery with optimism and determination.