ESPN Premieres ‘Heart of Pearl’ Documentary on Former Kansas Basketball Star Scot Pollard
ESPN released an emotional documentary about former Kansas basketball standout Scot Pollard, detailing his life-threatening battle with heart issues in February 2024.
The E60 special, titled “Heart of Pearl,” tells the story of Pollard’s near-fatal experience with cardiogenic shock, a condition he was diagnosed with at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The documentary also reflects on the striking similarities between Pollard’s health scare and the struggles of his father, Pearl “Poison” Pollard, who tragically passed away while waiting for a heart transplant in 1991, when Scot was just 16.
The feature explores how the loss of Pollard’s father became a driving force for his basketball career, shaping him during his high school years and throughout his time at the University of Kansas.
Former KU head coach Roy Williams appears in the documentary, recalling his desire to recruit Pollard because he wanted players who “cared” and would treat basketball as “the most important thing in their lives.” When Williams first met Pollard on a recruiting visit, he told him, “I will never take the place of your dad – but if you give me a chance, I think you’ll be able to trust me like a second father.”
Williams, clearly emotional, added, “I wanted to make sure he knew I cared.”
Pollard was deeply moved by Williams’ words and ultimately chose Kansas, feeling a strong bond of trust with his future coach.
“I needed to go where there was a man in charge that I could listen to and respect the decisions that he made regarding my life, whether I played every minute or none,” Pollard said. “It was 100% Roy Williams. I knew I needed a father figure.”
The partnership proved to be a perfect fit for both Pollard and Williams, as Kansas became one of the top teams in college basketball during the mid-1990s, while Pollard’s basketball career flourished.
“I fell in love with basketball after my dad died,” Pollard reflected. “That’s when I said, this is going to be the thing that I do and I’m going to do it very well – for him.”
The documentary also highlights Pollard’s career, showcasing memorable moments from his time at Kansas and in the NBA, where he was selected 19th overall in the 1997 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, eventually winning an NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008.
Pollard finally received the heart transplant he desperately needed on February 16, 2024. Over a year later, he met the family of his heart donor, Casey Angell, to express his gratitude.
This powerful documentary is a heartwarming story of love, perseverance, family, and basketball—one that all KU fans and basketball lovers should watch.
“I’ve got a lot to do,” Pollard said. “I’m really glad I have a lot to do.”
Leave a Reply