The Portland Trail Blazers welcomed back a memorable national anthem singer ahead of their game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday.
On April 25, 2003, the Blazers were hosting the Dallas Mavericks for Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Then 13 years old, Natalie Gilbert stepped up for the national anthem. However, she stumbled on her words and mixed up “twilight’s last gleaming,” and said “stars last gleaming.”
Up stepped Portland’s then-head coach Maurice Cheeks, who stood side-by-side with Gilbert to encourage her, saying: “c’mon,” before singing “stars last gleaming” with Gilbert. The former Philadelphia 76ers guard continued to sing lyrics himself alongside her — the crowd joined in as well.
Notably, Cheeks and the teenager belted: “home of the brave,” together as Cheeks gave her a hug to close out the heartwarming performance.
This time around, Gilbert went through the anthem unscathed — leading to a rousing applause from Moda Center. Cameras panned to a grinning and clapping Cheeks, who is currently on the Knicks’ coaching staff.
A Rip City redemption like no other 🥹❤️🎶 pic.twitter.com/FHPZuZDuMJ
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 13, 2025
how it started vs. how it’s going 🫂❤️ https://t.co/ewjnNnecg2 pic.twitter.com/vHx1dL8Jla
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 13, 2025
Wednesday’s performance allowed for a pregame reunion between Gilbert and Cheeks. The two went on the Tonight Show together afterwards, as well as CNN.
“When I felt like I was very helpless and hopeless, coach walked right over. No hesitation, helped me finish the song,” said Gilbert on the Blazers broadcast.
She shared that the moment has given her “so much courage” to persevere through every challenge in her life. Gilbert described seeing Cheeks again as “surreal.”
“This moment changed my life. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I would not go back in time and change it at all,” Gilbert said. “Seeing him and seeing that he’s still the standup guy today that he was back then. It’s amazing.”
Source: espn.com