Ostertag Donates Kidney to His Sister

With laughter and high hopes, Utah Jazz center Greg Ostertag donated a kidney Thursday to his younger sister, whose kidneys failed in March.

Doctors at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas said Ostertag and his sister, Amy Hall, were recovering well.

“It just clicked, it couldn’t have gone better,” said surgeon Robert Goldstein, who also did Mickey Mantle’s liver transplant at the medical center in 1995. “It’s already working wonderfully. She very quickly will start feeling better.”

Hall, 26, has had type 1 diabetes since she was 7. Her kidney problems began three years ago, and in March it was determined she needed a new organ. Tests showed her brother to be a perfect donor.

The risk of career-threatening complications are low. Ostertag should be able to report to training camp on time.

Ostertag, 29, will try to become the second player in three years to return to the NBA with only one kidney. Sean Elliott went back to the San Antonio Spurs after getting a kidney from his brother in March 2000.

The Jazz also reported that John Stockton had surgery on his right elbow six weeks ago, but owner Larry Miller still hopes the 40-year-old point guard returns for a 19th season.

Last summer, Stockton signed a two-year contract but indicated after the playoffs that he hadn’t made a decision about next season.

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Yao Ming, the NBA’s No. 1 draft pick, said he’s looking forward to battling with the best in the league.

A day after making basketball history with his selection by the Houston Rockets, the 7-foot-5 Yao worked out with the Chinese national team and pledged one day to best the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal.

“He is a mountain in my way,” Yao said. “I will try to conquer it by all means. My first tries may turn out to be failures, but I will continue with others.”

Yao, 22, became the first foreign-born player who had not played American college ball to be picked No. 1.

Is he worried about all the pressure?

“I already feel it,” he said.

Yao’s solid moves and shooting are a rare combination in a player so tall.

However, he needs to bulk up and improve his upper body strength to gain advantage under the basket and avoid injuries.

He said he expects adjusting to the NBA will take some time--but that practice is the best preparation.

“American basketball has its own unique culture,” he said. “I hope I can adapt quickly.”

It’s not clear when Yao will travel to Houston. Yao is training in Beijing with the national team, which will be coming to the United States in August for a training camp to prepare for the World Championships.

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The Miami Heat waived Chris Gatling, ending the 6-foot-10 forward’s third stint with the team. He has played for eight teams in his 11-year career.

Gatling, 34, averaged 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 54 games last season for Miami.

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The Dada Summer Pro League kicks off at the Pyramid in Long Beach on July 7, when the Lakers will play the Memphis Grizzlies. Several of the players taken in Wednesday’s NBA draft are expected to participate in the two-week summer league, which features five games daily.

Also, applications are available for the Summer Pro League basketball Super Camp tryout that will be held Sunday through Wednesday in Long Beach.

A registration fee of $340 includes skills tests, practices and games with the chance to earn a Summer Pro League roster spot. Participants must be 18 or older.

Details: (310) 445-4646.