Alonzo Mourning

Alonzo Mourning had a tough childhood. After his parents divorce, Alonzo chose to go live with a foster mom. He worked really hard at school while playing basketball. He ended up getting a real high SAT score while guiding Indian River High School to a state title. There was a lot of hype about him. So he ended up going to Georgetown.

In 1992, he was drafted behing now teamate Shaquille O'neal second overall by the Charlotte Hornets. That year, he ended up being second in the rookie of the year voting behind Shaq. Zo loved the city of Charlotte, and the Hornets were trying to re sing him, they offered him an offer many players wouldnt refuse. He didnt accept it, so the Heat signed him.

Then, Zo was diagnosed with a kidney disease. His NBA playing activity became limited and after a year got shot down. He needed a kidney transplant, and his grandma was really ill . So as a joke, his cousin tried to see if he could give Zo a kidney transplant. They hadnt seen each other in 25 years, and he only knew him through basketball. Then, on the day of their grandmother's funeral, Alonzo found out that his cousin was a match. He received the kidney transplant. He needed a little rehab anyways. Alonzo had signed as a free agent with the Nets in 2003, but had retired because of the kidney problems. So he started practicing with the Nets in '04.

During the '05 season, he started playing for them, but asked for a trade. Then, as many of you know, the Nets aquiered Vince Carter. Alonzo was part of the deal. But Toronto wasnt the answer Zo was looking for. So he didnt report to Toronto and was bought out of his contract. A few days later, he signed with the Miami Heat. Fans in Miami loved Alonzo, so on his first game with the Heat, fans at the American Airlines Arena started chanting, We Want Zo!,We Want Zo!,We Want Zo! to then coach Stan Van Gundy. So when Mourning got ready to check in, it was one of the loudest moments of the year at the AAA. That year, Alonzo helped the Heat acheive the Eastern Conference Finals. But he was hungry for a championship. So he returned for one more year. He got a lot of playing time early in the year because Shaq got injured in the 2nd game of the season. And that year, he finally won the championship. He was a big part of the game 6 victory getting a few important blocked shots.

And now, he is coming back for his final season in '08. When he smiles and watch pictures of the championship ceremony, you cant do anything but feel emotional. As a person who had kidney problems since they were born, I feel identified with this guy and hes my heroe. Lets go Heat!