Mourning Glory

How Alonzo Mourning shot his way out of the rough.

by Claudio E. Cabrera

In 2000, Alonzo Mourning felt good. “I was on top of the world,” says the Miami Heat center. “At the age of 30, I felt invincible.”When you’re a 6’10”, 260-pound star basketball player who has led your franchise to a division title, earned the Defensive Player of the Year award for the second time, and won the gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, a gladiator’s ethos is a natural fit. But, the fact is no one is invincible, despite how unassailable their accomplishments may seem. Following the 1999-2000 season, the man they call Zo learned that first hand. After eight successful years in the league, Zo figured the next step was an nba championship. Instead, the next step not only threatened to end his career, but his life as well. A routine pre-season check up in the year 2000 brought Mourning’s year of highs to a stunning low. Shortly after witnessing the birth of his daughter, Myka, Mourning was diagnosed with an acute inflammatory illness called focal glomerulosclerosis, a common form of kidney disease that can cause permanent kidney failure. In the past, most patients with the disease required dialysis or a kidney transplant. This would generally happen within five to 12 years after the onset of focal glomerulosclerosis. Today, up to half of these patients can be treated successfully. Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition in which the kidneys are unable to function effectively. According to the National Kidney Foundation more than 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and 20 million more are at increased risk, especially members of the African-American and Hispanic-American populations.

“We as African Americans and all people in general are too concerned with the gas we put in our car and not the food we put in our mouths. You have to watch your sodium and potassium intake. Keep in close contact with your doctor,” said Mourning. “A lot of people don’t go to the doctor on a regular basis because they’re scared of what they may hear,” he continued. “It’s extremely important that you do. I still deal with my side effects from medicine but I’ll deal with that because it’s better than going through dialysis.

Mourning had no choice but to sit out the majority of the 2000-2001 season to focus on his health. Six years later, a healthy and vibrant Mourning is conducting his third annual fundraiser called Zo’s Million Dollar Shootout, an event that provides financial support to community improvement programs around the country.

Mourning, who has played golf around the globe, counts the courses in Sao Paolo, Brazil among his favorites along with Trump National and the Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami. Zo grew up in rural Chesapeake, Virginia at a time when he might not have forseen his successes. “Growing up in Chesapeake was extremely country. There was nothing much to do out there,” said Mourning.Born to Alonzo Sr. and Julia Mourning, Alonzo’s adolescence was embroiled in a custody battle between his parents, who split up when he was 12 years old. Unable to agree oncustody rights, they sent Alonzo to a foster home run by a lady named Fannie Threat. Mourning became the man he is today under Threat’s guidance, though with 49 natural and adopted children in the household attention was hard to come by. Mourning turned to basketball, where he eventually found his footing. “When I started playing basketball I was real clumsy and awkward.” But he kept at it. The years of practice paid off in his junior year when he led Indian River High School to the state championship. Once Mourning claimed the title, recruiters came calling. Numerous colleges were interested, and the attention he received from schools unnerved him a bit.

“Instead of listening to the teacher in class, I would be daydreaming.‘Wow, man, this is a big decision. What am I going to do?’ It [was] confusing.” The confusion ended when he settled on Georgetown University and its legendary coach, John Thompson. The coach’s energy and relationship with his players impressed Mourning. Zo became an All-American player at Georgetown and by his junior year whispers that he would enter the nba draft were commonplace.

Mourning was part of the holy triumvirate of centers under. Thompson that included Patrick Ewing and Dikembe Mutombo. Mourning’s time under Thompson prepared him physically—but more important mentally—for the rigors of nba life, because education and maturity were strong facets of Thompson’s philosophy. “I felt coming into my rookie year that I was more mature than a lot of my fellow class members,” said Mourning. “Staying in college for four years taught me a lot about life and I was able to avoid the errors many young players commit when they enter the league.”

Mourning entered the league in 1993 and was drafted second overall by the Charlotte Hornets where he played for three years before moving to Miami.

He became a bonafide All-Star and led the Heat to four straight playoff appearances with his trademark passion and tenacity. Then came the diagnosis. Conventional wisdom said that he was at the end of a stellar career. Mourning was required to take 15 pills a day and was even unable to pick up a basketball or to play with his kids. Doubt entered the minds of those closest to him as well as, his own.

It was definitely not hard to fall into the negativity because many people thought I’d never play again,” said Mourning

He remained on the sidelines for close to two years until 2003 when his cousin stepped up and offered to donate his kidney. “That was such a blessing,” Zo reminisced. “You’re given a second chance to live. And I knew then that if somebody was willing to do that and give me that second chance, I’m going to do everything in my power to try and make it work.”

The only thing missing in Alonzo’s 13-year career was an nba title and in 2006 he got the monkey off his back when the Miami Heat won the Championship. Not only did they win the title, but Zo’s reemergence as a defensive force had people calling him the best center on the team throughout the playoffs.

Despite his success in the basketball arena, Mourning wants to be remembered for what he’s invested off-court.It all started when Zo’s foster mother, Fannie Threat, told him, “Before I leave this earth, I want you to come back and do something for your hometown.” Ten years ago, he began his foray into the philanthropic arena with the creation of Zo’s Summer Groove, which recently celebrated its tenth year anniversary and has become a staple in Miami. The charity event encompasses golf and pool tournaments, basketball clinics, youth summits, all-star basketball games, concerts, and comedy shows. It has raised over $3 million for abused and neglected children.

Mourning fulfilled his promise to Threat by bringing Zo’s Summer Groove to Chesapeake, where he has raised money and made donations to the local Boys and Girls Clubs and Chesapeake Care, a free clinic for under-privileged families. Mourning also founded a charity called Zo’s Fund for Life to support kidney research and education and provide financial relief to patients battling the illness. He teamed up with former San Antonio Spur, Sean Elliott, who also suffered from a kidney disorder.

Of Threat, Mourning said, “She’s pleased, but she isn’t satisfied.” The same could be said for him.

In 2005, Mourning made headlines when he donated his entire Miami Heat salary to charities that helped that city’s underprivileged youth and people struggling with kidney disease. “

Needless to say, Zo’s story is a unique example of determination and a reminder that mental fortitude can overcome nearly anything.Kidney disorder patients look at him as a role model, fighter, and someone who never gave up—inspiring them to do the same. Considering his freshly won nba championship, the continued success of his charities, and his improving golf swing, it may be not be completely accurate to describe Zo’s return to glory as a comeback. After all, champions of his stature never really abdicate the throne.