On Wednesday, in a comforting scene, Chicago goalkeeper Bulls Lonzo Ball welcomed the family of a late knee cartilage donor who helped him two years ago.
Ball, which has had frequent knee problems since entering the NBA, underwent a meniscus and cartilage transplant in its left knee in March 2023 after several unsuccessful procedures failed to solve a problem dating from the previous season.
The leader received the cartilage of the late Alex Reinhardt from Dakota Dunes, of the southern Dakota, and Wednesday Ball and the Reinhardt family met near the Bulls bench before the tip.
“It was extremely emotional,” said Alex’s mother Angie. “So much happiness also accompanies him. All the people who are donors from Alex’s, we are just blessed.
“We had mothers from some people who said things. Now we can meet Lonzo. It’s just a blessing to be able to watch people manage well with their knees or anything because of Alex. Of course, we want it to be here.
Reinhardt died at the age of 20 in February 2023.
Lonzo Ball was able to return to the field this season after a knee cartilage transplant
Ball, seen in January 2023, missed two complete NBA seasons because of its knee problems
Angie said that the family had received a call from the donor network saying that an athlete who had received some of Alex’s fabrics was interested in meeting the family. A few weeks later, they discovered that the recipient was ball. The meeting met shortly after.
Ball, who returned to play in 35 games this year, signed jerseys and took photos with the mother, the father, two brothers of Reinhardt and the future sister-in-law.
The guardian and former UCLA star have missed all of the last two seasons and – before receiving the cartilage of Reinhardt – The future of his NBA career was very in danger.
In an interview with ESPN at the end of last year, Ball wondered if the shoes of his father Lavar’s company, Big Baller Brand, caused his knee problems.
“I think it’s a way for sure, to be honest with you,” said Ball. “I didn’t really hurt myself like that until I started to wear them.”
He was not available Wednesday due to a wrist on the right, he played for the Bulls during the opening evening this season and his prospects are much better than before crossing for the first time with the Reinhardts.
“Be able to continue to help people after his death really feels as a blessing for all of us,” said Angie.
Without a ball in alignment, the Bulls managed to beat the heat 119-111.
