May 02, 2008 4:22 PM EST

Former NBA player Derrick Coleman has refuted reports that he is in need of a heart transplant, according to ESPN.com news services.

Coleman told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that he was in the hospital for an irregular heartbeat and doesn't need a transplant, as was reported early on Friday.

"Do I sound like I need a heart transplant? I don't know how this stuff gets started. I appreciate the love, but please tell everybody that I am fine," Coleman told the Detroit News.

The New York Post initially reported that the 40-year old needed a new heart.

Via ESPN