Clifford Robinson (basketball, born 1966) facts for kids
Robinson in Survivor: Cagayan in 2013
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 16, 1966 Buffalo, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | August 29, 2020 (aged 53) Portland, Oregon |
| High school | Riverside (Buffalo, New York) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | UConn (1985–1989) |
| NBA Draft | 1989 / Round: 2 / Pick: 36th overall |
| Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers | |
| Pro career | 1989–2007 |
| Career history | |
| 1989–1997 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1997–2001 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2001–2003 | Detroit Pistons |
| 2003–2005 | Golden State Warriors |
| 2005–2007 | New Jersey Nets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career statistics | |
| Points | 19,591 (14.6 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 6,306 (4.6 rpg) |
| Assists | 3,094 (2.2 apg) |
Clifford Ralph Robinson (December 16, 1966 – August 29, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. He played for 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Clifford was chosen in the second round of the 1989 NBA draft.
He spent his first eight seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. Later, he played for the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets. Robinson won 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.
Contents
College Basketball Career
Robinson played basketball for four years at the University of Connecticut. He started playing there in 1985. His team, the Huskies, won the 1988 National Invitation Tournament championship. Clifford was even named to the all-tournament team.
Later, he was honored as part of UConn's All-Century men's basketball team. On February 5, 2007, UConn retired Robinson's jersey number "00". This special event happened at Gampel Pavilion. It was part of the "Huskies of Honor" ceremony. This ceremony celebrated 13 former players and 3 coaches for their achievements.
NBA Professional Career
Playing for the Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1997)
The Portland Trail Blazers picked Robinson as the 36th player in the 1989 NBA draft. He played for the Trail Blazers for eight seasons. During his time there, Portland made it to the playoffs every year. They even reached the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992.
Robinson won the Sixth Man of the Year Award in the 1992–93 season. He averaged 19.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game that year. He also had a career-best 1.99 blocks per game. He was an All-Star with the team in 1994.
After a game in 1992, Robinson did a victory dance he called "Uncle Cliffy." This nickname stayed with him throughout his career. On February 22, 1995, Robinson's amazing streak of 461 consecutive games ended. This "iron man streak" is still a record for the Trail Blazers.
Playing for the Phoenix Suns (1997–2001)
Robinson joined the Phoenix Suns on August 25, 1997. He played with them for four seasons. A big moment with the Suns was when he scored a career-high 50 points. This happened against the Denver Nuggets on January 16, 2000. At 33 years and 2 months old, he was the oldest player in NBA history to score 50 points for the first time.
Playing for the Detroit Pistons (2001–2003)
Robinson was traded to the Detroit Pistons on June 29, 2001. He was traded in exchange for Jud Buechler and John Wallace.
Playing for the Golden State Warriors (2003–2005)
On August 21, 2003, Robinson was traded to the Golden State Warriors. He joined them along with Pepe Sánchez, in exchange for Bob Sura. He played all 82 games that season. However, it was the only season in his career where he did not play in the NBA playoffs.
Playing for the New Jersey Nets (2005–2007)
Golden State traded Robinson to the New Jersey Nets on February 14, 2005. He played with the Nets for two more seasons. The team released him in July 2007, and Robinson then retired from basketball.
NBA Career Statistics
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Regular Season Stats
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–90 | Portland | 82 | 0 | 19.1 | .397 | .273 | .550 | 3.8 | .9 | .6 | .6 | 9.1 |
| 1990–91 | Portland | 82 | 11 | 23.7 | .463 | .316 | .653 | 4.3 | 1.8 | 1.0 | .9 | 11.7 |
| 1991–92 | Portland | 82 | 7 | 25.9 | .466 | .091 | .664 | 5.1 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 12.4 |
| 1992–93 | Portland | 82 | 12 | 31.4 | .473 | .247 | .690 | 6.6 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 19.1 |
| 1993–94 | Portland | 82 | 64 | 34.8 | .457 | .245 | .765 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 20.1 |
| 1994–95 | Portland | 75 | 73 | 36.3 | .452 | .371 | .694 | 5.6 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 21.3 |
| 1995–96 | Portland | 78 | 76 | 38.2 | .423 | .378 | .664 | 5.7 | 2.4 | 1.1 | .9 | 21.1 |
| 1996–97 | Portland | 81 | 79 | 38.0 | .426 | .346 | .696 | 4.0 | 3.2 | 1.2 | .8 | 15.1 |
| 1997–98 | Phoenix | 80 | 64 | 29.5 | .479 | .321 | .689 | 5.1 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 14.2 |
| 1998–99 | Phoenix | 50 | 35 | 34.8 | .475 | .417 | .697 | 4.5 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 16.4 |
| 1999–00 | Phoenix | 80 | 67 | 35.5 | .464 | .370 | .782 | 4.5 | 2.8 | 1.1 | .8 | 18.5 |
| 2000–01 | Phoenix | 82 | 82 | 33.5 | .422 | .361 | .709 | 4.1 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 16.4 |
| 2001–02 | Detroit | 80 | 80 | 35.7 | .425 | .378 | .694 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 14.6 |
| 2002–03 | Detroit | 81 | 69 | 34.9 | .398 | .336 | .676 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 12.2 |
| 2003–04 | Golden State | 82 | 82 | 34.7 | .387 | .357 | .711 | 4.1 | 3.3 | .9 | .9 | 12.2 |
| 2004–05 | Golden State | 42 | 29 | 26.0 | .398 | .331 | .603 | 2.7 | 1.8 | 1.0 | .9 | 8.5 |
| 2004–05 | New Jersey | 29 | 0 | 20.7 | .361 | .379 | .692 | 3.3 | 1.0 | .6 | .5 | 6.0 |
| 2005–06 | New Jersey | 80 | 13 | 23.3 | .427 | .343 | .658 | 3.3 | 1.1 | .6 | .5 | 6.9 |
| 2006–07 | New Jersey | 50 | 1 | 19.1 | .372 | .379 | .444 | 2.4 | 1.0 | .2 | .5 | 4.1 |
| Career | 1380 | 844 | 30.8 | .438 | .356 | .689 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 14.2 | |
| All-Star | 1 | 0 | 18.0 | .625 | .000 | – | 2.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | .0 | 10.0 | |
Playoff Stats
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Portland | 21 | 6 | 18.6 | .358 | .000 | .558 | 4.1 | 1.1 | .9 | 1.1 | 6.5 |
| 1991 | Portland | 16 | 0 | 22.1 | .538 | .333 | .551 | 3.9 | 1.1 | .4 | 1.0 | 10.3 |
| 1992 | Portland | 21 | 0 | 24.9 | .462 | .167 | .571 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 10.8 |
| 1993 | Portland | 4 | 0 | 32.8 | .262 | .000 | .409 | 4.3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 10.3 |
| 1994 | Portland | 4 | 4 | 37.3 | .412 | .222 | .875 | 6.3 | 2.5 | .8 | 1.5 | 16.3 |
| 1995 | Portland | 3 | 3 | 39.7 | .362 | .235 | .563 | 6.3 | 2.7 | .7 | .3 | 15.7 |
| 1996 | Portland | 5 | 5 | 36.2 | .344 | .261 | .757 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 15.2 |
| 1997 | Portland | 4 | 4 | 40.3 | .362 | .188 | .688 | 6.8 | 3.0 | .5 | 1.0 | 12.0 |
| 1998 | Phoenix | 4 | 4 | 23.0 | .273 | .000 | .778 | 3.0 | .8 | .8 | .5 | 6.3 |
| 1999 | Phoenix | 3 | 3 | 39.0 | .475 | .222 | .636 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 2.0 | .3 | 15.7 |
| 2000 | Phoenix | 9 | 9 | 37.0 | .386 | .325 | .733 | 6.0 | 2.1 | 1.2 | .8 | 17.6 |
| 2001 | Phoenix | 4 | 4 | 28.5 | .420 | .250 | .636 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | .5 | 15.0 |
| 2002 | Detroit | 10 | 10 | 40.9 | .363 | .340 | .800 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 13.2 |
| 2003 | Detroit | 17 | 17 | 30.8 | .358 | .373 | .595 | 2.7 | 2.9 | .9 | .8 | 9.3 |
| 2005 | New Jersey | 4 | 0 | 17.8 | .407 | .286 | 1.000 | 2.5 | 1.3 | .8 | .3 | 7.0 |
| 2006 | New Jersey | 8 | 0 | 24.8 | .333 | .316 | .800 | 3.3 | .6 | 1.1 | .4 | 4.5 |
| 2007 | New Jersey | 4 | 0 | 5.0 | .167 | .500 | .0 | .0 | .3 | .0 | .8 | |
| Career | 141 | 69 | 27.6 | .393 | .298 | .629 | 3.9 | 1.8 | 1.0 | .9 | 10.3 | |
Career Highlights and Records
Clifford Robinson averaged 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.05 steals, and 1.03 blocks per game in his NBA career. He played 1,380 games, which is the 13th most games played in NBA history. Among players who could join the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, he was second in games played.
By the end of the 2013–14 NBA season, Robinson had played 42,561 minutes. This ranked him 19th among all NBA players. He was also 14th among retired players. He was the top player eligible for the 2016 Basketball Hall of Fame class in minutes played.
Robinson was one of only two players drafted in the 1980s who were still playing in the NBA in 2007. The other player was Kevin Willis. He played in the NBA Playoffs in all but one of his 18 seasons. The only exception was his 2003–04 season with the Golden State Warriors.
At 6 feet 10 inches tall, Robinson was the tallest player to make over 1,000 three-pointers. Later, Dirk Nowitzki and Rashard Lewis passed him. Robinson made 1,253 three-pointers in his career. He ranks fifth in field goals made among players eligible for the 2015 Basketball Hall of Fame class. He is first among players 6'10" or taller.
Robinson is one of only seven players to record 1,300 steals and 1,300 blocked shots in their career. The other players are Kevin Garnett, Julius Erving, Bobby Jones, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Ben Wallace.
Life After Basketball
Appearing on Survivor
Robinson was a contestant on the 28th season of the TV show Survivor. This season was filmed in 2013 and shown in 2014. The season's theme was "Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty." Robinson was placed on the "Brawn" team, called Aparri.
At first, he didn't plan to tell anyone he was a famous basketball player. But another contestant, Yung "Woo" Hwang, recognized him. Once his identity was known, he didn't try to hide it. After a team change, another player, Trish Hegarty, disliked Robinson. She convinced Tony Vlachos to vote him out. Clifford was the fifth person voted off the show, finishing in 14th place.
Trip to North Korea
In 2014, Robinson was part of a basketball team put together by Dennis Rodman. This team traveled to North Korea as part of a "basketball diplomacy" effort. Their job was to play an exhibition game against the Northern Korean Senior National Basketball Team. This game celebrated the birthday of Kim Jong-un.
The team also included other famous players like Kenny Anderson, Vin Baker, Craig Hodges, Doug Christie, Sleepy Floyd, and Charles D. Smith. Four "streetballers" also joined the team.
Personal Life and Health
On September 21, 2003, Robinson married Heather Lufkins in Barbados. His son, Isaiah Robinson, also played basketball. Isaiah played for the Jefferson High School Democrats in Portland and for the Houston Baptist Huskies.
As of 2017, Robinson lived in the West Hills area of Portland, Oregon.
Health Challenges and Passing
Robinson had a stroke in March 2017. This caused the left side of his body to become weak. However, he soon recovered much of his arm and leg movement. In March 2018, he had a tumor removed from his jaw.
In March 2019, Robinson had surgery for cancer treatment. He sadly passed away from lymphoma on August 29, 2020. He was 53 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Clifford Robinson para niños
- List of National Basketball Association career blocks leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career games played leaders
- List of oldest and youngest National Basketball Association players
