Ailing all-star Alonzo Mourning is about to get the biggest assist of his life.
The former New Jersey Net center, who retired last month because of a deteriorating kidney disease, has found a compatible organ donor and could receive a transplant as soon as tomorrow, sources close to the hoopster said.
It is believed the donor was found from within Mourning’s family, but further details of the transplant were unclear.
Mourning, 33, was first diagnosed with the debilitating ailment in the fall of 2000, and has been under the care of Dr. Gerald Appel, director of clinical kidney disease at Columbia University Medical Center.
Appel did not return calls seeking comment last night.
Mourning sat out all of last season and played just 13 games in 2000-01 because of his illness. The superstar signed a four-year, $23 million free agent contract with the Nets this past summer.
He recently sent out a letter through his Miami-based charity that expressed hope, optimism and gratitude that a compatible donor would be in place by the end of the year.
“We anticipate that it will be possible to have the surgery completed by the end of the year,” Mourning wrote to friends and supporters on stationary that bore his smiling face.
“All things considered, I am in exceptional spirits and extremely thankful for all the love and support that surrounds me.”
Mourning last played with the Nets on Nov. 22.