Natalie Gilbert (Zito), sang the “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the age of 13 before a Portland Trail Blazers game in 2003. Video of her performance , shows her struggling to remember the words ...

A similar misfortune happened two decades ago before the NBA Western Conference finals game. Thirteen-year-old Natalie Gilbert started strong but mixed up the anthem’s words. Embarrassed and near ...

A similar misfortune happened two decades ago before the NBA Western Conference finals game. Thirteen-year-old Natalie Gilbert started strong but mixed up the anthem’s words. Embarrassed and near ...

Thirteen-year-old Natalie Gilbert started strong but mixed up the anthem’s words. Embarrassed and near tears, she stopped. Then Portland Trailblazers head coach Maurice Cheeks slipped beside her ...

Natalie Gilbert, Maurice Cheeks inspired many with classic anthem moment. Even in the midst of a postseason game, there are instances when an interaction transcends the action itself.

The heartwarming encounter between Natalie Gilbert and Maurice Cheeks garnered worldwide attention and led to an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Twenty-two years after her memorable ...

Natalie Gilbert Zito and Maurice Cheeks in 2003 and 2025. ... Then-Trail Blazers head coach Maurice Cheeks walked up and sang alongside her, assisting her through the rest of the way.

Maurice Cheeks helped Natalie Gilbert finish the national anthem when she performed it at a Portland Trail Blazers game in 2002. She returned to sing it again more than 20 years later.

Prior to a 2003 Trail Blazers playoff game, 13-year-old Natalie Gilbert stumbled on her words while performing the national anthem before then-Portland head coach Maurice Cheeks stepped up to help.

It was a night of happy returns for the New York Knicks on Wednesday at Moda Center. Not only did the Knicks (42-23) get back in the win column with a last-second overtime triumph over the hosting ...

Natalie Gilbert, who was rescued by Maurice Cheeks while singing the national anthem in 2003, nailed her shot at redemption 22 years later. Accessibility. Login ... Trail Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks ...