NBA fans witnessed a heartwarming moment on Wednesday when a national anthem singer reunited with longtime coach Maurice Cheeks, who memorably showed his support as she struggled to perform over two decades ago.
Singer Natalie Gilbert (now Natalie Zito) was tasked with performing the anthem at a 2003 playoff game when she stumbled over the lyrics.
Cheeks, the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers at the time, jumped to her aid and stayed by her side as they sang the remainder of the anthem before sharing a hug.
On Wednesday, Zito returned to sing the anthem at Portland’s Moda Center and Cheeks, an assistant coach with the visiting New York Knicks, couldn’t help but smile as the camera panned to him during the performance.
Cheeks met up with Zito and embraced on the court prior to the game.
Zito, in an interview with Blazers courtside reporter Brooke Olzendam, said it was “surreal” to reunite with the coach who was part of a life-changing moment.
“I wouldn’t have had it any other way, I would not go back in time and change it at all,” said Zito, a Blazers season ticket holder and now the vice president of Environmentally Conscious Recycling in Portland.
“And seeing him and seeing that he’s still the standup guy that he was back then was amazing.”
You can catch the sweet moment in the clip below.