Alonzo Mourning facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Alonzo Mourning

Mourning with the Miami Heat in 2007
Miami Heat
Vice president of player programs and development
Personal information
Born	(1970-02-08) February 8, 1970 (age 55) Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.
High school	Indian River (Chesapeake, Virginia)
Listed height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight	261 lb (118 kg)
Career information
College	Georgetown (1988–1992)
NBA Draft	1992 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
Selected by the Charlotte Hornets
Pro career	1992–2008
League	NBA
Career history
1992–1995	Charlotte Hornets
1995–2003	Miami Heat
2003–2004	New Jersey Nets
2005–2008	Miami Heat
Career highlights and awards
NBA champion (2006) 7× NBA All-Star (1994–1997, 2000–2002) All-NBA First Team (1999) All-NBA Second Team (2000) 2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1999, 2000) 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1999, 2000) 2× NBA blocks leader (1999, 2000) NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993) No. 33 retired by Miami Heat Consensus first-team All-American (1992) Consensus second-team All-American (1990) Third-team All-American – NABC (1991) Big East Player of the Year (1992) 2× First-team All-Big East (1990, 1992) 3× Big East Defensive Player of the Year (1989, 1990, 1992) 2× USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1990, 2000) NCAA blocks leader (1989) National high school player of the year (1988) McDonald's All-American Game Co-MVP (1988) 2× First-team Parade All-American (1987, 1988) Second-team Parade All-American (1986) 2× Virginia Mr. Basketball (1987, 1988)
Career NBA statistics
Points	14,311 (17.1 ppg)
Rebounds	7,137 (8.5 rpg)
Blocks	2,356 (2.8 bpg)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  United States Summer Olympics Gold 2000 Sydney FIBA World Cup Gold 1994 Canada Bronze 1990 Argentina Goodwill Games Silver 1990 Seattle

Alonzo Harding Mourning Jr. (born February 8, 1970) is a famous American former professional basketball player. He is currently the vice president of player programs and development for the Miami Heat. Mourning played most of his 15-year National Basketball Association (NBA) career with the Heat.

Known as "Zo", Mourning played as a center. He was a strong defensive player. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award twice. He also made the NBA All-Defensive Team twice. After a kidney transplant, Mourning made an amazing comeback. He then won the 2006 NBA championship with the Heat. He also played for the Charlotte Hornets and New Jersey Nets. In 2009, the Miami Heat retired his jersey number 33. This was a special honor. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014. In 2019, he joined the FIBA Hall of Fame.

Early Life and High School Success

Alonzo Harding Mourning Jr. was born on February 8, 1970. His hometown is Chesapeake, Virginia. He went to Indian River High School. There, he became an amazing basketball player. He led his team to 51 wins in a row. They also won a state title in 1987. During his senior year, he averaged 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocked shots per game. He was named Player of the Year by several groups. He was the top high school recruit in 1988.

College Basketball Journey

Mourning played college basketball at Georgetown University. He played for coach John Thompson. As a freshman, he started every game. He averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds. He also led the country in blocked shots. He set new NCAA records for a freshman with 169 blocks.

His scoring and rebounding got better in his second and third years. But his blocks went down. This was because his taller teammate, Dikembe Mutombo, played center. Mourning played power forward instead. After Mutombo left for the NBA in 1991, Mourning returned to center. He had a fantastic senior year in 1991–92. He averaged 21.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 5.0 blocks. He won many awards, including First-Team All-American. He was also named Big East Conference Player of the Year. He won Big East Defensive Player of the Year three times.

Mourning finished his college career with 2,001 points and 1,032 rebounds. He also had 453 blocked shots. This was the most in NCAA history at that time.

Professional NBA Career

Starting with the Charlotte Hornets (1992–1995)

The Charlotte Hornets picked Mourning second in the 1992 NBA draft. He was chosen after Shaquille O'Neal. In his first year, he made the NBA's All-Rookie team. He averaged 21.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.47 blocks. He was second in Rookie of the Year voting to Shaquille O'Neal. Mourning set new Hornets records for blocked shots. A big moment was his game-winning shot in the 1993 playoffs. It helped the Hornets beat the Boston Celtics. The Hornets lost in the next round.

In the 1994–95 season, Mourning and Larry Johnson led the Hornets. They won 50 games and made the playoffs. Mourning was the team leader in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. He also played in the 1995 NBA All-Star Game. The Hornets lost to the Chicago Bulls in the first round.

Becoming a Miami Heat Star (1995–2003)

In November 1995, Mourning was traded to the Miami Heat. He became a key player for coach Pat Riley. In his first season, he averaged 23.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks. The Heat made the playoffs but lost to the Bulls.

In 1996, Mourning signed a big contract with the Heat. The 1996–97 Heat team won 61 games. This was a team record at the time. Mourning averaged 19.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks. In the playoffs, the Heat beat the Orlando Magic. They then faced the New York Knicks. This started a big rivalry. The Heat won that series and reached the Eastern Conference Finals. They lost to the Bulls.

In 1998, the Heat lost to the Knicks again in the playoffs. Mourning missed a key game due to a suspension. The next season, Mourning won his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. He led the league in blocks with 3.9 per game. The Heat had the best record in the East. But they lost to the Knicks again in the first round. Mourning won Defensive Player of the Year again in 2000. He led the NBA in blocks with 3.7 per game. The Heat faced the Knicks in the second round. They lost to them for the third year in a row.

After the 2000 Summer Olympics, Mourning was diagnosed with a serious kidney disease. He missed most of the 2000–01 season. He returned for 13 games. In the 2001–02 season, he played 75 games. He averaged 15.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks. He earned his last All-Star selection. The Heat missed the playoffs that year. Mourning missed the entire 2002–03 season due to his kidney problem.

Time with the New Jersey Nets (2003–2004)

Mourning signed with the New Jersey Nets in 2003. After playing 12 games, he retired due to his kidney disease. On December 19, 2003, he had a successful kidney transplant. In 2004, he started practicing with the Nets again. He joined their team for the 2004–05 season. He did not play much for the Nets. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors in December 2004. Mourning never played for the Raptors. His contract was bought out. He then returned to the Miami Heat.

Championship Return to the Heat (2005–2008)

Mourning rejoined the Heat in March 2005. He played a smaller role as a backup to Shaquille O'Neal. But he still contributed a lot. He was known for his strong defense and hustle. He helped the Heat get the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Mourning was third in the league in blocks. The Heat swept the Nets and the Washington Wizards in the playoffs. They lost to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In the 2005–06 season, Mourning continued as a backup center. He started some games when O'Neal was injured. He averaged 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds. He was third in the league in blocks. In the playoffs, Mourning was a key defensive player off the bench. The Heat beat the Bulls and Nets. They then defeated the Pistons to reach the 2006 NBA Finals. This was the first NBA Finals for the Heat and for Mourning. The Heat won their first NBA championship. Mourning scored 8 points, had 6 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the final game.

After winning the championship, Mourning returned to the Heat for the 2006–07 season. He wanted to defend their title. In 2007, he announced that the 2007–08 season would be his last. He tore a tendon in his right knee in December 2007. This injury ended his season. During the 2007–08 season, he became the Heat's all-time leading scorer. Dwyane Wade later passed this record.

Retirement and Hall of Fame Honors

Mourning announced his retirement from the NBA on January 22, 2009. He said he had given all he could to the game. A month later, the Heat retired his number 33 jersey. He was the first Heat player to receive this honor. The ceremony happened on March 30, 2009. Many important people spoke at the event.

In 2009, he was named to the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame. In 2010, he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. This recognized his great career and his charity work.

In June 2009, Mourning returned to the Heat in a new role. He became the vice president of player programs and development. He helps with community outreach and mentors young players.

On April 7, 2014, it was announced that Mourning would be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place on August 8, 2014. On March 26, 2019, Mourning was named to the FIBA Hall of Fame. He was inducted on August 30, 2019.

In 2021, The Athletic ranked him as the 69th greatest player in NBA history. In June 2024, Mourning shared that he is cancer-free. He had surgery in March 2024 for prostate cancer.

Awards and Achievements

• 3-time NBA champion: 2006 (as a player), 2012, 2013 (as a team executive)
• 7-time NBA All-Star: 1994–1997, 2000–2002
• All-NBA First Team: 1999
• All-NBA Second Team: 2000
• 2-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1999, 2000
• 2-time NBA All-Defensive First Team: 1999, 2000
• NBA All-Rookie First Team: 1993
• J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award: 2002 (for community service)
• 2-time NBA blocks leader: 1999, 2000
• Heat franchise second leading scorer with 9,459 points
• Won gold medals with the U.S. national team at the 1994 FIBA World Championship and the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Won a bronze medal at the 1990 FIBA World Championship with the U.S. national team
• McDonald's All-American Game MVP: 1988
• Mr. Basketball USA: 1988
• Naismith Prep Player of the Year: 1988
• USA Today High School Player of the Year: 1988
• 2× First-team Parade All-American: 1987, 1988
• Second-team Parade All-American: 1986
• Virginia Mr. Basketball: 1988

Charitable Work and Community Impact

Alonzo Mourning with former U.S. President Bill Clinton at a community service event in Miami, Florida, April 2010

Mourning (center) with Grant Hill and President Barack Obama in 2014

In 1997, Mourning started Alonzo Mourning Charities Inc. This organization helps children and families in need. It provides support and services to help young people succeed.

After his kidney diagnosis, Mourning created Zo's Fund for Life. This campaign raises money for research and education. It helps fight focal glomerulosclerosis, the kidney disease he had. The funds also help people who cannot afford their medicine.

In 2007, Mourning helped start Athletes for Hope. This charity helps professional athletes get involved in good causes. It also encourages others to volunteer and support their communities.

In 2003, he founded the Overtown Youth Center in Miami, Florida. This center helps underprivileged kids. It aims to inspire and empower them. The goal is to help them become positive citizens.

In 2009, a new high school was named in his honor. It is called Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High Biscayne Bay Campus. It is located in North Miami, Florida.

Personal Life and Health Journey

Mourning and his ex-wife Tracy have three children. His oldest son, Trey Mourning, also played basketball for Georgetown. He wore his father's number 33 jersey. In 2019, Trey was part of the Miami Heat's Summer League team. He was later drafted into the NBA G League.

In 2015, Mourning was honored by the Library of Virginia. He was recognized for his charity work and basketball contributions.

Kidney Transplant Story

On November 25, 2003, Mourning's cousin, Jason Cooper, visited his grandmother. Mourning's father told Cooper that Alonzo was retiring. This was due to a serious kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. This was the same problem another NBA player, Sean Elliott, had. Cooper asked if he could help. He thought about donating one of his kidneys. He had not seen Alonzo in 25 years.

Many family members and friends were tested for compatibility. This included his good friend Patrick Ewing. During his grandmother's funeral, Mourning learned that Jason Cooper was a match. Mourning received Cooper's left kidney on December 19, 2003.

Career Statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

College

See also

In Spanish: Alonzo Mourning para niños

• List of NBA career blocks leaders
• List of NBA career playoff blocks leaders
• List of NBA annual blocks leaders
• List of NBA single-season blocks per game leaders
• List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career blocks leaders
• List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season blocks leaders
• List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career free throw scoring leaders
• List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds