With 218 blocks (second-most), 850 rebounds (fourth-most), and 358 made free throws (sixth-most) when he graduated from Kansas, Scot Pollard was undeniably a Jayhawks legend in the mid to late 1990s.
Then, he went on to an 11-year-long career in the NBA, winning the 2008 NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, one of Pollard's biggest opponents in life wasn't on the court, it was his own heart. In 2021, Pollard contracted a virus that triggered a genetic issue with his heart. The former Jayhawk needed life-saving surgery in the form of a heart transplant.
In January 2024, Pollard received that transplant, and it truly saved his life. Now, ESPN is placing a spotlight on Pollard's journey off the court and his fight to survive.
Pollard is just 50 years old and only retired from the league in 2008, just 17 years ago. People don't often picture professional athletes, even those who are retired, and imagine someone in need of a heart transplant.
Known for his eclectic hair styles and boisterous attitude, Pollard was unlike anyone else on the court, but he was a presence to be reckoned with. Coming out of high school, following the passing of his late father, none other than Roy Williams, who was coaching Kansas at the time, asked Pollard for a chance.
The rest of Pollard's career is history. As a freshman under Williams, Pollard was named to the third-team Parade All-American roster (1993) and was later named to the second-team All-Big Eight roster (1996).
Pollard's drive to survive his heart condition paralleled his drive to succeed on the basketball court; in honor of his father, who passed away while still waiting for a heart on the transplant list.
The E60 episode "Heart of Pearl" is set to air at 1 p.m. ET (noon CT) on Sunday, June 15. The episode will air on ESPN and be available on ESPN+.