Z, Bowling, and Make-a-Wish Foundation

[wuck]

Whenever the Cavs have some cool thing going on the community (Santa visits, reading with 3 graders, etc.), Z always seem to be there. This afternoon, he did it again, helping the Make A Wish Foundation, reaching out to a fan, and donning his Size 17 "bowling" shoes.

Don't let David Stern see that picture or he'll get fined for a toe over the line...

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He had a bowl: Stricken Cavaliers fan has a special day thanks to Zydrunas Ilgauskas
by Mary Schmitt Boyer/Plain Dealer Reporter
Saturday February 07, 2009, 7:45 PM


CLEVELAND --- Zydrunas Ilgauskas looked like a tall, skinny Santa Claus in bowling shoes.

The Cavaliers center spent Saturday afternoon bowling with a 17-year-old boy from Akron who told the Make A Wish Foundation that his fondest dream was to hang out with his favorite player -- big No. 11.

In spite of getting beaten handily in two games, Ilgauskas graciously produced a large bounty of gifts afterward. First, he autographed an oversized bowling pin. Then a pair of shoes. Then a jersey, followed by a big shopping bag full of Cavaliers gear. Finally, the boy received two tickets to Sunday's game against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, along with a chance to sit courtside during warmups.

It was almost more than the shy young man could bear.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance," he told reporters in his first-ever interview. "It's awesome."

Michael (the Make-A-Wish Foundation does not provide last names of its clients) suffers from polyarteritis nodosa, an auto-immune disorder that attacks the organs and tissues. Michael told the Make-A-Wish Foundation that he'd always wanted to meet Ilgauskas because he admired the way he plays and he seemed like "a cool guy."

Ilgauskas only reinforced that notion on Saturday at The Corner Alley on East 4th Street and Euclid Avenue. Dressed in a plain white T-shirt and baggy jeans and some nasty brown quilted shoes that looked like something Anderson Varejao would wear, Ilgauskas kidded with Michael, his mother and two brothers as well as a host of onlookers and fans.

Less than 24 hours before the big game against the Lakers, Ilgauskas took a moment to step outside his normal routine -- and make one teenager's day.

"This stuff is what matters," Ilgauskas said. "Sometimes you get caught up in your own world and forget about what's going on outside. Things like this put your life into perspective."

SOURCE

 

[SanduskyCav]

foot fault on Z

 

[P_Han2]

OVER THE LINE!! MARK IT ****IN' ZERO!!!

 

[Chardon]

Somtimes i wonder if they are forced to do these things.

Still a great freaking thing of Z to do.

 

[-KingofKings23-]

Z is the man.

 

[Sir Charles Barkley]

Z is the man.

Agreed.

 

[blank964]

Good story, we all have to remember there's more to life than basketball :yay:

But seriously how long do you think it takes for Z to throw the ball? :chuckles:

 

[Karma]

Z bowling has back injury written all over it. Back to back games as well.

I'm sure people closer to the organisation would verify this, but Ilgauskasis one guy who gets a real kick out of helping out others. Great player, better person so it would seem.

 

[Trill Cosby]

i really hope somehow someway Z gets to retire as a cav, he's everything right about the nba.

 

[marcvstraianvs]

Z is a class individual. He's definitely part of the community and has always seemed willing to do these events for kids. Look forward to seeing his #11 in the rafters when he's gone, he's earned it.

 

[Mindphaser]

It's kind of weird in a way that the one star that hasn't left Cleveland is a dude from Kaunas, Lithuania.

 

[Wine and Gold]

Cavs have been blessed to have spome great guys. Even if for only short periods of time. Jawad Williams made the most of his short time here, and was extremely active in thie community, not just things that came as a request from the team, but, he went out into the comunity on his own and created some opportunties for his teammates to join in and particiaopte with him to make impacts in the community.

For that, I would like to make a comment that I was looking to make when we did end up releasing him. He's a high quality kid that didn't forget where he came from. He's still not a guy that's made it financially in life, either , but one nonetheless, still willing to give of what he had.

Z's always been one Cavalier that loves to give of his time when called on, and is AV, Lorenzen, Mo, and many other Cavs. Drew Gooden and Ira Newble were also very generous in their efforts withn the community from past teams.