Who was Nick Gilbert? What was his cause of death at age 26?

Young Gilbert used to represent Cavs in lottery

Who was Nick Gilbert? What was his cause of death at age 26?

Nick Gilbert

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a history of first-round picks. Since drafting the first-round first pick, LeBron James in 2003, the Cavs have had a top-ten pick nine times. Though behind these picks was their lucky charm, Nick Gilbert. Nick was the son of the Cavs’ owner, Dan Gilbert. Since he was born, Nick had been dealing with a nerve disorder.

Despite that, he was a cheerful kid who actively looked upon his dad’s team and its players. He had represented the Cavaliers in the lottery numerous times. At the age of 15, Nick first made his appearance at the lottery in 2011. The Cavs had a confirmed 4th pick, though one of their acquired picks had a significantly lower chance at the first pick.

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With Nick sitting on the Cavs’ table, Cleveland won the first pick of the 2011 lottery, as they would go on to draft Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. Though Nick’s luck for the Cavs won’t end there. In the following year, the Cavs would land a 4th pick with the help of their lucky charm. Nick would show up to the 2013 lottery as well, landing yet another first pick for the team.

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Cleveland would draft Anthony Bennet, but he would eventually get traded for Kevin Love. Later on after LeBron’s return, the team would enter the lottery in 2018. Nick would represent the Cavs again and gift the team 8th overall pick, Collin Sexton. All of these players have either turned out to be great or have been traded for much better assets. Nick was the definition of the Cavs’ luck in the lottery. In the following years, Nick went through surgery, and the team supported him in that phase. Unfortunately at the age of 26, Nick Gilbert had passed away.

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What was the cause of Nick Gilbert’s death?

Nick Gilbert
Nick Gilbert

Nick was affected by neurofibromatosis, which is a genetic disorder. He had been suffering from certain nerve disorders since his childhood. Neurofibromatosis is not curable. Nick was hospitalized for a month and went through various surgeries since last year.

The Cavs’ warmup uniform had a bow tie symbol, as they supported all those affected by neurofibromatosis. At the young age of 26, Nick breathed his last. The Cleveland community sent their condolences following his demise.

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