Report: Mourning Set for Kidney Transplant

Less than a month after retiring from the NBA, Alonzo Mourning is scheduled to undergo kidney transplant surgery Friday in New York, the Miami Herald reported Wednesday.

Mourning retired from the New Jersey Nets on Nov. 24 because of complications from the kidney disease focal glomerulosclerosis.

He has been searching for a matching kidney donor since, receiving offers from potential donors. The Herald, citing two unidentified sources, said it was believed Mourning is receiving a kidney from one of those donors.

Mourning’s agents and doctor could not be reached. A spokesman for the Nets had no information on Mourning’s medical condition.

Mourning was diagnosed with the kidney ailment after returning from the Sydney Olympics in the fall of 2000.

He tried to continue playing, appearing in 88 games for the Miami Heat before signing a four-year contract with the Nets last summer.

He played in only 12 games for New Jersey before announcing his retirement.

“It’s unfortunate but, trust me, things could be a whole lot worse,” Mourning said at the time. “I want to live 50 more years. I’m 33 years old ... and I want to live to at least be 80 and see my kids grow up and see my grandkids. That’s important to me.”

From Associated Press