Cavs set to retire Big Z's jersey once NBA Lockout is lifted

CLEVELAND - After the first few years of Zydrunas Ilgauskas' career it looked like number 11 would never leave the bench, when the NBA Lockout is lifted the number 11 will never leave Quicken Loans Arena.
 

According to lithuaniabasketball.com, Big Z's number 11 jersey will be hanging from the rafters as soon as the former Cavalier big man retires.

Reports started coming out after the Cavs' number one draft pick, Kyrie Irving, asked to wear number 11 in the wine and gold. Irving was told that number was slated to be retired and couldn't wear it.

In 1996, the Cavaliers selected the Lithuanian center with the 20th of the NBA Draft. After a series of foot injuries nearly cost Ilgauskas his career, he went under the knife one last time in December of 2000. Big Z returned in 2001 and became an All-Star in 2002 eventhough the Cavs had the worst record in the league.

The Cavaliers drafted LeBron James in 2003 and Ilgauskas was able to resurrect his career. Z followed James to Miami in hopes of winning the NBA Championship. The 7 foot 3 Ilgauskas averaged 13 points and  over 7 rebounds a game and ended up as the Cavaliers all-time leader in games played, blocked shots and rebounds. The Cavs have also retired the numbers of Bingo Smith, Austin Carr, Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, Larry Nance, and Nate Thurmond.