Nick Gilbert, son of Cavaliers owner, dies at 26

Gilbert was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF1) when she was a child, the agency reported, describing the disease as a genetic condition that causes noncancerous tumors on the brain, spinal cord and skin. there is no cure.

A funeral announcement posted by the Ira Kauffman Chapel said that Gilbert “passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family” on Saturday. Gilbert lived in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Gilbert’s funeral will be held Tuesday at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan.

Gilbert, who represented the team in the 2011 draft lottery, became a viral sensation wearing his signature bow tie and dark-rimmed glasses.

The Cavaliers ended up getting the No. 1 pick and selected Kyrie Irving No. 1. This was a season after LeBron James left the team to sign with the Miami Heat.

Gilbert, 14, quipped, “What’s not to like?” His father praised his efforts and called him his hero.

Gilbert represented the Cavaliers in several more lotteries. Cleveland would get the No. 1 pick in 2013 and 2014. He often attended the team’s games at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse with his father and mother, Jennifer.

The team would draft Andrew Wiggins in 2014 and flip it to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a trade that landed Kevin Love. James, Irving and Love will help lead Cleveland to a championship in 2016.

The Cavaliers have dedicated their 2022-23 season to young Gilbert. The team wore the bow tie symbol on their warmups to honor him and raise awareness of the disease.

While he was attending Michigan State in 2018, Gilbert underwent an eight-hour operation on his brain.

Prominent Cleveland figures paid tribute to Gilbert.

Former Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden tweeted, “Rest in peace King! You brought so much joy to everyone! Sending blessings to the Gilbert family!”