Ewing Offers Kidney to Mourning

M I A M I, Nov. 8 -- Patrick Ewing has offered to donate one of his kidneys to Alonzo Mourning if the ailing Miami Heat center ever needs a transplant.

“You know I will always be there for him,” Ewing said Tuesdayafter a shootaround in Miami. “If my kidney matches, I’ll be happyto donate one. If it comes down to that. He knows that.”

Mourning has a common but serious kidney disease that is forcinghim to miss this season. It is not yet known whether he will need akidney transplant.

Transplant Not Yet WarrantedEwing and Mourning both played at Georgetown and remain closefriends despite their fierce NBA battles. They work out togetherduring the offseason, and Ewing is the godfather to Mourning’snewborn daughter, Myka Sydney.

They spoke Monday when Ewing arrived in Miami and planned tospend time together Tuesday night at Mourning’s home.

Ewing said he and Mourning have not approached doctors, nor havethey gone through any tests to determine if the former New YorkKnicks and current Seattle center would be a match for Mourning.

Mourning’s kidney disease, focal glomerulosclerosis, initiallywill be treated with medication but could eventually requiredialysis or a transplant. The disease was discovered during aroutine physical after Mourning returned from leading the U.S.Olympic team to a gold medal in Australia.

“I haven’t even talked to the doctors yet, but I’m just sayingif it comes down to that, if we match up, I’ll be happy to give himone,” Ewing said.