NBA Coach Maurice Cheeks Reunites with Singer He Helped During 2003 Anthem Performance

Natalie Gilbert, now Natalie Zito, delivered a flawless rendition of the anthem in Portland, 22 years after her memorable moment with Maurice Cheeks.

In 2003, then-Trail Blazers head coach Maurice Cheeks famously stepped in to help 13-year-old Natalie Gilbert finish the national anthem after she stumbled on the lyrics during an NBA playoff game.
On Wednesday, Gilbert, now known as Natalie Zito and a Portland resident, returned to the Moda Center to perform the anthem ahead of a game between the Trail Blazers and the New York Knicks, where Cheeks is now an assistant coach.
Zito delivered a confident and flawless performance, with cameras capturing Cheeks smiling and clapping as he watched from the sidelines.
The two reunited on the court before the game, sharing an emotional embrace and reflecting on the life-changing moment from 22 years ago.
Fans and the NBA community celebrated the reunion, with many praising Cheeks’ enduring kindness and leadership, which made the original 2003 moment so impactful.