Jazz GM Justin Zanik to undergo kidney transplant / News - Basketnews.com

Utah Jazz general manager Justin Zanik fights polycystic kidney disease with undergoing a kidney transplant. His three kids will need transplants, too.

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

Utah Jazz general manager Justin Zanik is set to undergo a kidney transplant as part of his treatment for polycystic kidney disease, the team announced in a news release on Monday. The transplant procedure is scheduled for Tuesday.

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Zanik, who was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) last October, will be receiving a donor kidney. Polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder, leads to the formation of cyst clusters within the kidneys.

Following the transplant, Zanik is expected to take three weeks to recover and then gradually return to his job duties. He aims to resume a full-time workload within six weeks.

This diagnosis hits close to home for Zanik, as his father has also battled polycystic kidney disease and underwent a successful kidney transplant in 2003.

The revelation about Zanik's condition came after a routine physical six months ago, prompted by his wife, Gina. She noticed his visible fatigue following trips to the FIBA World Cup and Australia during late summer.

At 49 years old, Zanik has been serving as the Jazz's GM since 2018, marking his second tenure with the franchise's front office.

The Zanik family, including their three children -- Ava, Oskar, and Lucy -- has been affected by PKD as well. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, his three kids -- facing a litany of health issues -- will need transplants, too.

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