Clifford Robinson facts for kids

Clifford Ralph Robinson (December 16, 1966 – August 29, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. He was known for his long career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Robinson played for 18 seasons in the NBA. He started his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. Later, he played for the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets. He was a talented player who earned several awards. These included the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1993. He was also chosen as an NBA All-Star in 1994. Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for the UConn Huskies.

Who Was Clifford Robinson?

Clifford Robinson was a famous basketball player. He played in the NBA for almost two decades. Standing at 6 feet 10 inches tall, he was a versatile player. He could play both as a forward and a center.

Robinson was known for his unique style of play. He was one of the first big players who could shoot three-pointers well. This made him a tough opponent for other teams.

Early Life and College Career

Clifford Robinson was born in Buffalo, New York. He grew up loving basketball. He played high school basketball at Riverside High School.

After high school, he went to the University of Connecticut. He played college basketball for the UConn Huskies. He played there from 1985 to 1989. During his time at UConn, he showed great skill. He helped his team win many games. His strong college performance led him to the NBA.

NBA Career Highlights

Clifford Robinson was drafted into the NBA in 1989. The Portland Trail Blazers picked him in the second round. He quickly became an important player for them.

Playing for the Trail Blazers

Robinson played his first eight seasons with the Trail Blazers. He helped them reach the NBA Finals twice. This was in 1990 and 1992. He was a key player on those teams. He was known for his strong defense and scoring.

In 1993, he won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. This award goes to the best player who comes off the bench. It showed how valuable he was to his team. In 1994, he was selected as an NBA All-Star. This means he was one of the best players in the league that year.

Moving to Other Teams

After his time in Portland, Robinson played for several other teams. He joined the Phoenix Suns in 1997. He continued to play at a high level there. He was known for his consistent scoring and defense.

He later played for the Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets. He was a respected veteran player. He brought experience and skill to every team he joined. He retired from basketball in 2007.

Legacy and Impact

Clifford Robinson played 18 seasons in the NBA. This is a very long career for a basketball player. He played in 1,380 regular season games. This makes him one of the players with the most games played in NBA history.

He scored over 19,000 points in his career. He also had over 6,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists. These numbers show how well-rounded he was as a player. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice. This was in 2000 and 2002.

Robinson was a pioneer for big men who could shoot. He helped change how the game was played. His ability to shoot from outside made him a difficult player to guard.

Later Life and Passing

After retiring from basketball, Clifford Robinson remained active. He was a beloved figure in the basketball community.

In March 2019, he had surgery for lymphoma treatment. He passed away on August 29, 2020. He was 53 years old. He is remembered as a great player and a kind person.