The iron man who danced through an eighteen-season NBA career
In short: Clifford Robinson was a force of nature on the basketball court, known for his durability and his signature 'Uncle Cliffy' victory dance. From his collegiate success at UConn to becoming a prolific three-point shooting big man, his journey through the NBA was defined by remarkable longevity and unexpected resilience.
Clifford Robinson's professional journey began in 1989 when he was selected 36th overall in the second round of the NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He spent his first eight seasons in Portland, contributing to deep playoff runs that included appearances in the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992. During the 1992–93 season, he earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award after averaging 19.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.99 blocks per game. His impact was so significant that his number '00' was eventually retired by the University of Connecticut in 2007.
A defining characteristic of Robinson's career was his incredible durability. A franchise record for the Trail Blazers, his 461-game 'iron man' streak concluded when a matchup against the Golden State Warriors on February 22, 1995, prevented him from playing. By the time he retired in 2007, he had played 1,380 NBA games, which was the 7th-highest total in league history at that time. He was one of only two players from the 1980s draft class still active in the league in 2007, alongside Kevin Willis.
Beyond the court, Robinson's life was marked by unique ventures and personal challenges. He appeared on the reality show Survivor in 2013 and participated in a 'basketball diplomacy' exhibition match in North Korea in 2014. In his post-basketball years, he became an entrepreneur in the cannabis industry, using his 'Uncle Cliffy' nickname for his brand. Robinson faced significant health battles later in life, including a stroke in 2017 and cancer surgery in 2019, before passing away from lymphoma on August 29, 2020, at age 53.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Clifford Robinson (basketball, born 1966)
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