NBA Veteran Scot Pollard Reflects on Heart Transplant Journey

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Last October, seven months after a heart transplant saved his life, Scot Pollard found himself back in the hospital. The visit, however, was not for him. Instead, it was for his son, Ozzy, a senior who had recently injured his ACL and meniscus during football season.

The Pollard family had been mentally preparing for surgery as Scot himself had spent years battling genetic heart disease. Once a beloved NBA player known for his unique personality and competitive spirit, Pollard faced a different reality during his retirement — a life overshadowed by medical visits and heart failure.

At just 48, Pollard recalled the moment he realized how dire his situation had become. “If this is it, I’m going to be OK,” he remembered thinking. But once he received a new heart on February 16, 2024, his outlook changed. He spent five months in contemplation before writing a heartfelt letter to the family of his anonymous donor, calling them heroes.

In the letter, Pollard expressed gratitude, stating, “Your loved one’s heart is going to be loved and cared for and will give love back.” He initiated a mission to raise donor awareness, vowing to honor the hero who gifted him a new life.

Organ transplants involve strict anonymity, and it would be up to the donor’s family to respond to Pollard’s letter. After three months of waiting, he finally got the response he had hoped for.

On February 6, 2024, Pollard was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, for a heart transplant evaluation, amid fears of end-stage heart failure. Overwrought with emotion, Pollard felt a blend of hope and fear as he awaited a donor heart that could save him.

Meanwhile, Casey Angell, who was battling pneumonia, was declared unresponsive in East Texas, prompting his family to face the devastating decision to let him go. They chose organ donation, knowing Casey would have wanted to help others. On February 16, when Angell’s heart traveled to Nashville, a new lease on life awaited Pollard.

Scot vividly remembers saying goodbye to his family before entering surgery, acknowledging the uncertainty ahead. He underwent the procedure, and within hours, he was bestowed a new heart, with medical staff commenting on the compatibility of Angell’s organ.

In the weeks following his surgery, Pollard achieved a remarkable personal milestone: attending his son Ozzy’s senior night at the high school football field, where first-hand support meant everything to the teenager.

As the Pollards began to integrate their lives with the Angell family, they formed a bittersweet bond, united by the challenges and blessings of organ donation. Their first emotional meeting led to healing conversations about loss, family connections, and new beginnings.

Pollard’s future remains uncertain, but he embraces each day as a gift from Angell’s family. “What I hope for moving forward is just that I can keep living a good life because of their gift,” he said, reflecting on the intertwined paths of their families. “We miss him every day, but Scot helps with that,” Megan Angell stated, expressing the comfort brought by his presence.