💔 Lonzo Ball Meets Donor Family Who Helped Save His NBA Career After Knee Transplant

🏀 An Unforgettable Reunion: Lonzo Ball Meets Donor’s Family After Career-Saving Knee Surgery

CHICAGO — Ahead of the Bulls’ clash with the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, Lonzo Ball shared an emotional reunion with the family of Alex Reinhardt, the young donor whose tissue transplant helped revive his NBA career.

Ball, who spent over two years sidelined by a degenerative knee issue, underwent a meniscus and cartilage transplant in March 2023 — a last-ditch effort to save his playing days. The donor was 20-year-old Alex Reinhardt, a vibrant athlete from South Dakota, who passed away unexpectedly just a month earlier.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 “It Means the World”: The Reinhardt Family Meets Lonzo Ball

Ball met Alex’s parents, siblings, and fiancée before tip-off at the United Center. The meeting was filled with tears, signed jerseys, and moments of heartfelt gratitude.

“It’s been extremely emotional,” said Angie Reinhardt, Alex’s mother. “Seeing people thrive because of Alex is such a blessing. Meeting Lonzo — and watching him come back — means the world.”

Alex, remembered as a thrill-seeker and multi-sport athlete, now leaves behind a legacy of life through others. The family only recently discovered that Lonzo Ball was one of the recipients of Alex’s tissue — making the meeting all the more profound.

🔄 A Career Saved by Generosity and Resilience

Ball hadn’t played for the Bulls since January 2022 and underwent multiple failed procedures before the transplant became his only option. Now, 35 games into his comeback, his return is not just a sports headline — it’s a human story of second chances and silent heroes.

“To be able to keep helping people after his death really feels like a blessing to all of us,” Angie added.