Incredibly sad news from the NBA world as Nick Gilbert, the 26-year-old son of Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, has tragically passed away.
Nick was often seen representing the Cavs at the NBA Draft Lottery. He was viewed as a good luck charm for the team, helping them get the first-overall pick in 2011 and 2013. They took Kyrie Irving and Anthony Bennett in those drafts, respectively.
Nick Gilbert suffered from neurofibromatosis, which is described as a genetic disorder that has no cure. The Cavs dedicated their 2022-23 season to Nick, sporting bowtie emblems on their warmup jackets to honor him. While they had a successful regular season, it unfortunately ended on a sour note with a first-round loss to the New York Knicks in five games.
Nick was labeled “the ultimate good luck charm” when he helped the Cavs secure Kyrie Irving by winning the 2011 draft lottery, one year after the team lost superstar LeBron James to the Miami Heat.
Oddly enough, the Cavaliers had two picks in that draft. And while their own pick had a 19.9 percent chance of being first-overall, it was actually the Clippers pick — which had a 2.8 percent chance — that landed in the top spot.
It’s one of the more memorable moments in NBA Draft Lottery history, as Nick Gilbert pumped his fist with joy before celebrating with his father.
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Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Gilbert family and everyone else suffering from this tragic loss.
