Nick Gilbert, the son of Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, has passed away at the age of 26. Gilbert was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF1) as a child, a genetic condition that causes non-cancerous tumors to grow on the brain, spinal cord, and skin. Despite his condition, Gilbert became a good luck charm for the Cavaliers at NBA draft lotteries, representing the team and helping secure the No. 1 overall pick in 2011, which they used to select Kyrie Irving. The team also had the No. 1 pick in 2013 and 2014, with Gilbert representing them at each lottery. The Cavaliers dedicated their 2022-23 season to Gilbert and wore bowtie emblems on their warmups to honor him and raise awareness for NF. Gilbert’s funeral will be held on Tuesday at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan.
