Alonzo Mourning returned to the Miami Heat after missing the first 69 games of the 2000-01 season. During his first game back, he scored nine points and seven rebounds in the first 18 minutes he was on the court. Earlier in the year, Mourning was diagnosed with focal glomerulosclerosis, a kidney condition. He later received a kidney transplant (2003) from a cousin. Mourning was selected second, after Shaquille O’Neal, in the 1992 NBA Draft. He was known as a strong defensive player and is a two-time winner of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1999, 2000). In 1995, he was traded to the Miami Heat where he averaged 23.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. After spending one season with the New Jersey Nets (2003-04), Mourning returned to the Heat. At the time of his retirement in 2008, he led the team in points scored (Dwyane Wade later surpassed his record). Mourning was inducted into the hall of fame in 2014.
Today in Sports History: March 27
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