RACINE - To the naked eye, it looked like any other pick-up basketball game, three guys shooting hoops on a summer afternoon in the driveway of a home in the 2600 block of Illinois Street.

The family and friends who gathered to watch knew differently. The incision that ran nearly the length of Josh Bergeron's chest made it clear that this was no ordinary basketball game.

It wasn't as easy to see what Joe Guzdek had been through, but he's been through a lot.

Guzdek and Bergeron are transplant recipients. Bergeron, 25, had a new heart put in after the old one failed. Guzdek, 36, has a new kidney.

Brett Bezotte of Racine, the third man shooting hoops in Guzdek's driveway, he's their coach.

Yes, on Wednesday, Guzdek and Bergeron weren't playing an ordinary game of pick-up basketball. They were training for this weekend's U.S. Transplant Games in Madison, where transplant recipients from around the country will gather to compete in a variety of events. The games are being held through Wednesday.

Guzdek, who grew up in Kenosha, is closing in on his 13th anniversary with his new kidney. This will be the fifth transplant games in which he's participated.

"I go every year they have them. You get to show that you're actually doing something with the gift that you were given," said Guzdek, who sells flooring at Lowe's Home Improvement in Kenosha while he works on a master's degree.

Bergeron, a student, traveled from Eau Claire to Guzdek's house in Racine to warm up for this weekend's games. The two men participate in as many events as they can, including 3-on-3 basketball, as part of Team Wisconsin.

The games, sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation, are held every other year in cities around the country. More than 1,500 athletes are expected for this year's U.S. Transplant Games.

The games, however, are more than just an opportunity for transplant recipients to show off their athletic abilities. The four-day event is a chance for family and friends of donors and recipients alike to celebrate.

"Other than the competition, I love the competition, it's just getting to meet other people ... and just hear everybody else's story," Guzdek said. "Everybody's story is a little different, but it's all under one umbrella of just trying to increase awareness about donation."