Scot Pollard, a former American professional basketball player who spent 11 years in the NBA, recalls memories of his late parents in the ESPN Father’s Day documentary “Heart of Pearl,” which debuted on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
The 2008 NBA champion, Scot L. Pollard, was born on February 12, 1975, in Murray, Utah, United States, as one of six children to late parents Pearl Pollard and Marlyn Stout Pollard.
In ESPN’s documentary, Scot L. Pollard talks about his life-changing heart transplant in February 2024 and also talks about the impact of his late parents, especially his father Pearl ‘Poision’ Pollard, on his on-field and off-field journey.
Furthermore, Scot Pollard lost his father, Pearl Pollard, on October 28, 1991, after a heart attack when he was just 16 years old.
According to reports, Scot Pollard had gone surfing for a physical education class he was taking at Torrey Pines High in San Diego, the morning of his father’s demise.
As he was coming up off the beach, his father, Pearl, who was a public works director for the city of Solana Beach, drove by in a white truck, asked him, “What are you boys doing?“
Likewise, Pollard told his father by saying that he and his friends had just finished a surfing class, to which his father replied, “Get back to school and take care,” which was the last thing he said to his son, Scot.
A few hours later, a friend of Scot called him and shared with him the news of his father Pearl’s car accident.
Pearl Pollard passed away when his heart failed him as the truck he was driving rolled gently through a stop sign and into a parking lot, then came to rest against some parked cars. He died at age 54, waiting for a heart transplant, according to reports.
The autopsy report further stated that the cause of death was cardiomyopathy. A year prior to Pearl’s demise, he was diagnosed with heart issues, but he had been sick for a long time.
The family noticed that he was falling asleep a lot and passing out. Pearl talked to them, and then all of a sudden, his skin turned gray.
After the family convinced him to go to the doctor, the doctor revealed that he needed to be put on the heart transplant list, but at 6’9” and 380 pounds, doctors said, it would be hard to find a heart big enough.
"We knew it was a death sentence, so obviously, 16 years old, that kind of stuck in my brain," said Scott Pollard.
Scot Pollard Honors Late Father Pearl “Poison” Pollard With ‘Son Of Poison’ Back Tattoo And Follows His Path In Sports
The former NBA star, Scot Pollard, initially didn’t take basketball or school seriously. However, after losing his father, Pear Pollard, at a very young age, he began focusing on his basketball journey to keep his late father’s legacy in sports alive.
He also has a tattoo on his back that reads, ‘Son of Poison.’ His late father, Pearl Pollard, was a former Utah basketball star.
Pearl Pollard, born on June 27, 1937, in Darby, Ravalli County, Montana, moved to Utah in 1952 and quickly won the hearts of many with his exceptional basketball skills.
He was an all-state player for Jordan High School and set a state tournament scoring record in 1955. For his powerful performance, he was named ‘Poison’
Similarly, late Pearl played for the University of Utah from 1957 to 1959, becoming one of the Utes’ career leaders in rebounds. He was also the team’s leading scorer during the 1958-59 season, averaging 12.5 points per game, which contributed to the Utes achieving a 25-7 season record and advancing to the second round of the NCAA playoffs.
He was also named the team’s most inspirational player while at the University of Utah.
Following in his late father’s footsteps, Scot Pollard also showcased his amazing basketball skills, winning several honorable titles. Although Pearl didn’t get to witness his son’s NBA journey, Scot Pollard never misses a chance to honor his late parents.
Scot Pollard’s Late Parents, Marlyn And Pearl, Were High School Sweethearts
Scot Pollard’s late parents, Marlyn Donna Stout Pollard and Pearl Pollard, who were happily married for three decades, were high school sweethearts.
The late couple first met while attending Jordan High School and had been together until Pearl’s demise in 1991.
Likewise, Scot’s mother, Marlyn Donna Stout Pollard, was 17 years old when she married his father, Pearl Icean Jr. Pollard, in 1956 in Utah.
The late couple raised all of their six children to excel in their respective careers.
Furthermore, Marlyn, born in 1938 in Utah, passed away three years after her husband, Pearl’s, demise in 1994 at the age of 55 in Washington.
While not much is known about Scot Pollard’s late mother, Marlyn, as her professional journey is not well-documented. However, she stood by his side as his biggest supporter, and Scot also often expresses his love for his late mother.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Scot Pollard is married to Dawn Pollard. He shares four children with his first wife, Mindy.
- He began his NBA journey in 1997 with the Detroit Pistons and retired from his NBA career in 2008, after playing a season with the Boston Celtics, with whom he won the NBA Championship.
