NBA rocked as wife of Cleveland legend Zydrunas Ilgauskas dies at 50
The NBA world is in mourning after news of the tragic death of Jennifer Ilgauskas, the wife of Cleveland Cavaliers legend Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Ms Ilgauskas died on September 11 at the age of 50, with no cause of death listed on her obituary, which was published by McGreevey Funeral Homes.
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Jennifer worked in the medical sector in Ohio, and was the owner of Rebound Physical Therapy, North Olmsted Urgent Care, Lakewood Urgent Care, and medical billing company Darbo.
The obituary paid tribute to the charitable work that Ms Ilgauskas was involved in and the many lives she had a positive influence on.
“Many individuals were touched by her acts of kindness, but few knew the far reaching extent of her charitable work.
“Jennifer's approach to her professional life was visionary and selfless, executed with a servant heart.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers shared a video post on Instagram where Cleveland's president of basketball operations Koby Altman expressed his condolences on behalf of the organisation.
"We wanted to acknowledge and give a heartfelt condolence to the Ilgauskas family (on Jennifer's passing)," Altman said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ilgauskas family, his two boys and it's obviously a really, really sad time for that family so we wish them the best."
We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Jennifer Ilgauskas who was loved and respected by many.
Our hearts are with Zydrunas and their two sons, Deividas and Povila who are forever a part of our Cavaliers family. pic.twitter.com/C2tJNZqcrl— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) September 14, 2022
Zydrunas Ilgauskas - whose No. 11 jersey was retired by the Cavs in 2014 - married Jennifer in 2004 and the couple share two sons, Deividas and Povilas.
Ilgauskas played 12 seasons with Cleveland after being selected by the Cavs as the 20th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft.
Tributes pour in after Jennifer Ilgauskas's tragic death
News of the tragic passing of his wife has led to an outpouring of support for the NBA great and his family on social media.
Oh no. Oh my God
My thoughts & prayers go out to Big Z & the Ilgauskas family. Big Z was always one of my favorite Cavs of all time. I feel so terribly sad for him & his sons https://t.co/cDPvTeXhfz— Nicholas (@NicholasJLevi) September 14, 2022
HEARTBREAKING NEWS: Jennifer Ilgauskas, the wife of Cavs legend Zydrunas Ilgauskas, died Sunday, sources say.
Thoughts, prayers and love to the Ilgauskas family. #LetEmKnow— Alec (@alecsapolin) September 14, 2022
Saddened to learn that Jennifer Ilgauskas, wife of former Cavs star Zydrunas Ilgauskas, has passed. God bless her. My deepest condolences to her family and many friends.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) September 14, 2022
Please keep @cavs legend Zydrunas Ilgauskas and his family in your prayers following the passing of his wife Jennifer 🙏
— Brian Dulik (@BrianDulik) September 14, 2022
They were members at Westwood when I worked there. Mrs. Ilgauskas was the nicest woman she took time out of her day to talk to you and you can tell she was just a genuine person. RIP 🙏🏻 https://t.co/pVefyEc1gj
— Zach Ray (@ZachRay95) September 14, 2022
Thoughts and prayers to the Ilgauskas family! 🙏🛐 https://t.co/g50fxwFmC1
— CLVLND🟧⬜️🟫 (@JBurghardt12) September 14, 2022
Absolutely tragic. All prayers to the Ilgauskas family https://t.co/YAzOfwO7Lm
— Rich C (@dadonoverload) September 14, 2022
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