Cavaliers To Retire Kevin Love’s No. 0 Jersey And Hang It Next To Nick Gilbert Banner

Last season, the Cavaliers paid tribute to Nick, the late son of owner Dan Gilbert, by raising a banner to the rafters at Rocket Arena.

Nick passed away at 26. He had neurofibromatosis (NF1), a disorder that causes noncancerous tumors to grow on the brain, spinal cord and skin. There is no cure.

“It means a lot,” Nick’s brother, Grant Gilbert, told Bally Sports Cleveland about the tribute. “It’s very special to my family. But not only my family, everyone that knew Nick. And I think it’s important for us to come into the FieldHouse and see that banner and understand that he’s with us. But also for everybody else to understand the contributions to the organization and to the community that he made. And just being around and being an unwavering fan. And his spirit really driving us through the hard times and the bad times. So he’s with us for sure.”

Love appeared in 489 games with the Cavaliers. He averaged 15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists and made two All-Star teams. 

“One of the things I spoke about with ownership, I said if it is me, I’d be honored to go up next to him in the rafters,” Love said. “We’ll all be pretty close, so yeah, I might be the first one.”

The 36-year-old Love helped the Cavaliers win the 2016 championship against the Golden State Warriors. Cleveland is the only team in NBA history to erase a 3-1 series deficit in the Finals. 

A UCLA product, Love has career averages of 16.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cavaliers and Miami Heat. He’s made five All-Star teams and two All-NBA teams. 

Love won the 2010-11 Most Improved Player of the Year Award with the Timberwolves.