Jazz GM Justin Zanik to receive kidney transplant to treat polycystic kidney disease

Utah Jazz general manager Justin Zanik plans to receive a kidney transplant to treat polycystic kidney disease, the team said in a news release Monday.

"The Utah Jazz send our love and support to General Manager Justin Zanik, his wife Gina, and their family as Justin prepares for a kidney transplant to address polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic disorder that affects kidney function," the Jazz said in a statement. "JZ is an instrumental part of our organization, and we look forward to his return in the coming weeks."

The transplant is schedule for Tuesday.

Zanik, 49, joined the Jazz as GM in 2018 and this is his second stint with the franchise’s front office. The Zanik family also released a statement.

"As we take the next step in this journey, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to University of Utah Health and their incredible medical staff," the Zaniks said. "The care, expertise, and guidance they have provided our family and many others, has been invaluable. We also want to recognize and thank the Living Donor Program for the extraordinary life-saving work that they do. We are immensely thankful to (Jazz owners) Ryan and Ashley Smith and our entire Utah Jazz family.

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"The love we have felt and continue to feel is immeasurable. We are humbled and grateful to all of the donors that signed up to donate on Justin’s behalf. Justin looks forward to getting back to work in the coming weeks, and greatly appreciates the organization’s continued support during this process. To our families and our friends, thank you for your continued love, support, and prayers."

What is polycystic kidney disease?

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is "an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within your kidneys, causing your kidneys to enlarge and lose function over time," according to the Mayo Clinic. "Cysts are noncancerous round sacs containing fluid. The cysts vary in size, and they can grow very large. Having many cysts or large cysts can damage your kidneys.

"Polycystic kidney disease can also cause cysts to develop in your liver and elsewhere in your body. The disease can cause serious complications, including high blood pressure and kidney failure."

For Zanik, the disease is on his father’s side of the family, and his dad, Phil, received a kidney transplant 21 years ago. Near the start of the NBA season and after a physical, Zanik received a call from the team’s physician telling him he was in kidney failure.

Who is Justin Zanik?

Zanik is a veteran front office executive who first joined the Jazz in 2013 as an assistant general manager. He left the Jazz for a similar role the Milwaukee Bucks in 2016 and he returned to the Jazz in 2018. He has helped orchestrate major Jazz trades, including the deals that sent Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland and Rudy Gobert to Minnesota.

Before becoming a front-office exec, he was a player agent with ASM Sports for 10 years.

Zanik and his wife Gina have three children, Ava, Oskar and Lucy, and they have been diagnosed with PKD.