Good Luck Charm Nick Gilbert, Son of Cavaliers Owner, Passes Away at 26

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Nick Gilbert died. He was 26. He is the son of Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.

Gilbert was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis as a toddler. This genetic disorder causes non-cancerous tumors to form on the brain, skin, and spinal cord. The condition is incurable.

The Ira Kaufman Chapel released a statement on Saturday stating that Gilbert died peacefully with his family at home. Gilbert lived in Bloomfield Hills.

Gilbert’s bowtie and dark-rimmed glasses that he wore during the 2011 Draft Lottery became a viral phenomenon. The Cavaliers chose Kyrie Irving to be the No. 1 pick. LeBron signed with the Miami Heat a year after leaving Miami Heat.

Then 14 years old, Gilbert quipped, “What’s not to like?” after his father had praised his efforts and called him his hero.

He represented the Cavaliers at several more lotteries. Cleveland would get the No. 1 pick in 2013 and 2014. The team would draft Andrew Wiggins in 2014 and flip him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a trade that landed Kevin Love. James, Irving, and Love would help bring Cleveland a championship in 2016.

Cleveland has dedicated its 2022-23 Cleveland Season to Gilbert. In honor of Gilbert and in order to raise awareness about the disease, team members wore bow ties on their warm-up uniforms.