Nick Gilbert, the son of Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, passed away Saturday, according to multiple reports and an obituary on the echovita website.
He was 26.
Nick Gilbert became famous for his bowties, uplifting and positive personality and passion for his father’s team. He represented the Cavs in the 2012 NBA Draft lottery, which the Cavs won.
Afterward, he asked, “What’s not to like?” regarding the Cavs’ lottery victory, and was since considered the team’s unofficial good luck charm. His words became a catchphrase throughout Cleveland for the next several years.
The Cavs dedicated the 2022-23 season to Nick in October.
Nick suffered from neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder of the nervous system. It mainly affects how nerve cells form and generally causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways. There is no known cure.
NF can cause blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disabling pain and cancer. Nick underwent brain surgery as a result of the disorder in 2018. He spent 38 straight days in the hospital that year as well.
The obit reads as follows:
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Nicolas Gilbert of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, who passed away on May 6, 2023, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.
He was loved and cherished by many people including : his parents, Daniel Gilbert and Jennifer Gilbert; his siblings, Grant of Gracie, AJ and Nash Gilbert; his grandparents, Shirley, Samuel Gilbert, Murk Goddard, Pamela and Robert Feldman; and his aunts and uncles, Gary (Charlotte Gilbert), Kevin (Robin Goddard), Andrea Gilbert, Richard (Patti Gilbert), Paul (Desiree Marz) and Alicia Fox. He was also cherished by many loving cousins, friends, and devoted doctors, nurses, and caregivers.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 9th 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Temple Israel (5725 Walnut Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48323).
More must-reads: