As announced by Bleacher Report last night, former Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning has officially beat stage 3 prostate cancer. This is fantastic news for the NBA vet, as he has had to battle previous major health issues during his career. Mourning had surgery back in March to remove his prostate, which has led to his cancer-free diagnosis.
Alonzo Mourning’s Time With the Miami Heat
Alonzo Mourning’s career started in 1992 when he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets as the second overall pick in the draft. He immediately started his career red-hot, averaging 21.0 points per game and an outstanding 10.3 rebounds per game. This great rookie season put him in second in Rookie of The Year votes, just behind Shaquille O’Neal. This also led to him being on the NBA All-Rookie Team. However, after three seasons in Charlotte, the Miami Heat would pick him.
Here, Mourning played some incredible basketball. He’d continue putting up high averages in both points and rebounds. Eventually, this would all lead to him winning a championship with the team in 2006. He would finish his career with the Heat despite leaving for two seasons. His retirement was in 2008. His career would be filled with great moments and many honors as he made both the NBA All-Defensive Team twice and won NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice.
Mourning’s Health Scares
Mourning’s battle with prostate cancer isn’t the only major health issue that he had. The solid center also went through a serious diagnosis in 2000. Mourning was told that he had a rare form of kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. There were moments when the player thought that he would die. However, in 2003, he had a successful kidney transplant.
After his successful transplant, the center would go on to play five more seasons. His stats would start to dip, but a large amount of this was also due to the fact that he was getting older. Though his points per game weren’t the best, his rebounding abilities stayed sharp until he retired. He would then be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.
Mourning’s Involvement in Health Advocacy
Alonzo Mourning is currently working with the Miami Heat as Vice President of Player Programs. With that, he’s also doing things for the community. He is the co-founder of the Mourning Family Foundation alongside his wife, Tracy Mourning. This is a nonprofit foundation that helps support and strengthen youth development in education, enrichment, and advocacy. The foundation has raised over $50 million in funds to set up programs and even build a youth center.
Outside of this, he is also a major advocate for health. After his diagnosis in 2000, he began the Zo’s Fund for Life. The goal of the organization was to help fund research and testing for FSGS. Also, they helped those struggling financially to get the medical attention that they needed. They ended up raising millions. He also contributes to and is a supporter of the National Kidney Foundation.
About the Author
Elizabeth is an avid watcher of all things sports. However, the Boston sports teams will always be her number one. Her favorite sport to watch is basketball, but she also enjoys professional wrestling, soccer, and baseball. She also loves writing about anything ranging from sports articles to short stories and poems. She hopes to one day write her own sci-fi series and adventure series. You can find her on X @edellapiana1 to check out more content.
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