Utah Jazz GM Justin Zanik set for kidney transplant

Utah Jazz GM Justin Zanik is set for a kidney transplant next Tuesday, reports ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Zanik, along with his children Ava, Oskar, and Lucy, all have Polycystic Kidney Disease, with the kids likely needing transplants before turning 30.

The diagnosis of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) for Justin, with only 14% kidney function remaining, wasn't unexpected. PKD, characterized by cyst growth leading to kidney failure, has a 50-50 chance of being inherited, research shows. It's a condition with roots in the Zanik family, with Justin's father, Phil, marking 21 years since a successful kidney transplant this Friday.


In early October, the urgency was evident: Justin required a kidney transplant promptly to avoid dialysis. Getting enlisted in the National Kidney Registry and placed on the donor roster became imperative. Next, he sought volunteers among family and friends to undergo testing for compatibility.


However, given the prevalence of kidney disease in his family and the slim likelihood of finding a suitable match among acquaintances, the most promising route to expedite the transplant process involved securing a willing donor—a benevolent individual willing to donate a kidney to the national repository. This course of action, known as enlisting a "good Samaritan," significantly increased his chances of ascending the transplant queue by enabling him to be paired with a compatible donor. This development set in motion a discomforting task for him: the act of soliciting aid and attention.


Zanik, an experienced front office executive, initially joined the Jazz in 2013 as an assistant general manager. He later transitioned to a similar role with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2016 before returning to the Jazz in 2018. During his tenure, he played a key role in facilitating significant trades for the Jazz, including those involving Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

Prior to his career in the front office, Zanik spent a decade as a player agent at ASM Sports.

Zanik and his wife Gina are parents to three children—Ava, Oskar, and Lucy—all of whom have been diagnosed with PKD.



Source ESPN : How Utah Jazz GM Justin Zanik found himself fighting for not just his team, but his life

Source Hoopswire : Jazz GM Justin Zanik To Undergo Kidney Transplant