Anyone who ever saw Glen Gondrezick dive for a loose ball knows the former Nugget (1979-83), who grew up in Boulder, has heart.
Now he has a new one — and none too soon. Gondrezick just received a heart transplant after waiting months for a donor. His girlfriend, Tammy Wadkins, told The Associated Press the transplant came as Gondrezick’s health was deteriorating.
Gondrezick, 53, had the operation Saturday at UCLA Medical Center. He has congenital heart disease and waited 174 days for a donor.
Wadkins said doctors called just after midnight Saturday and Gondrezick, for the last 16 years a radio color commentator for his alma mater, UNLV, immediately went to Los Angeles.
“Gondo” played six seasons in the NBA, the last four with Denver. In 1977, he helped lead UNLV to its first appearance in the Final Four. His jersey was retired by the school in 1997.
