Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert’s son, Nick, died on Saturday at the age of 26.
He had suffered from the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis.
Nick was best known for representing the Cavaliers at the NBA Draft lottery on multiple occasions, serving as a good luck charm.
Neurofibromatosis is a rare genetic neurological disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerve tissue and currently has no known cure, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Nick was the Cavaliers’ representative at five draft lotteries.
He first represented the team at the 2011 lottery, following Cleveland’s first season after LeBron James left for the Heat.
The Cavaliers finished 19-63 that season and entered the lottery with two picks.
While their own pick netted the No. 4 selection in the draft despite having the second-highest odds to land the top selection, the pick the Cavaliers owned from the Clippers stunningly landed at No. 1 overall despite having just a 2.8 percent chance to do so.
Cleveland used that No. 1 overall pick to select Kyrie Irving, and added Tristan Thompson with the No. 4 overall pick.
Both players played pivotal roles as the Cavaliers won their only championship in 2016, after James returned to the team.
Nick wore a bowtie during the 2011 lottery, and it soon became a symbol for his efforts to raise money and awareness for neurofibromatosis.
The Cavaliers had dedicated this season to Nick, adding a bowtie emblem to their warm-up jackets and throughout Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
“We want to give a special thanks to Cleveland fans for always embracing Nick and showing him support and love over the years,” Dan Gilbert said in a statement before the season. “This season, we’re using the Cavs platform to raise awareness of NF and the millions who are impacted by this disease. While there’s currently no cure, we hope to help support cutting-edge research through our efforts. So, as you cheer on the Cavs this season, we ask that you keep Nick and all those fighting NF in your hearts.”
Nick represented the Cavaliers at four other lotteries.
In 2012, he represented the team when they netted the No. 4 overall pick, and subsequently drafted Dion Waiters.
He helped the Cavaliers earn another No.1 overall pick in 2013 despite the team having the third-best odds to do so at 15.6 percent.
The Cavaliers drafted Anthony Bennett with the pick.
During Nick’s fourth time representing the team in 2018, the Cavaliers landed the No. 8 overall pick, which they used to draft Collin Sexton.
In 2019, the Cavs landed the fifth pick with Gilbert in attendance, going on to select Darius Garland.
Dan and his wife Jennifer founded NF Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to neurofibromatosis research, in 2017.
A funeral service will be held for Nick on Tuesday in West Bloomfield Township, Mich.
