Trail Blazers, UConn great Cliff Robinson dies at 53

Cliff Robinson, eighteen-12 months NBA veteran and famous UConn participant, has died at age 53. Robinson’s household launched a assertion Saturday night time saying he had been battling a 12 months-prolonged struggle with lymphoma.

Robinson, born in Buffalo, New York, in 1966, was instrumental to environment up UConn as a nationwide contender in college basketball. Coach Jim Calhoun was employed in Robinson’s sophomore 12 months, and the change in coaching paid off in a major way. Robinson figured out how to in good shape into Calhoun’s plans and alongside one another they assisted UConn get nationwide see for the very first time at any time when they gained the NIT championship in 1988.

That set the stage for UConn’s future prominence, and Calhoun said on Saturday that Robinson was UConn’s very first fantastic participant.

In 1999, Robinson was named to UConn’s All-Century Crew. His amount, 00, was retired by UConn in 2007.

Immediately after Robinson graduated in 1989, he was picked in the next round by the Portland Trail Blazers, kicking off an eighteen-12 months NBA job. He would perform for the Blazers for 8 several years, creating the playoffs each and every time and serving to acquire the Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992, although they lost equally periods. He was the NBA’s Sixth Person of the 12 months in 1993 and an All-Star in 1994. He performed 461 straight game titles for the Blazers to commence his job, which even now stands as a franchise record.

Phoenix Suns, wherever he’d keep for 4 seasons. He put in time with the Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets just before retiring in 2007. He violated the NBA’s drug plan a few periods in the course of his job, the very first time in 2001 when he was arrested for marijuana possession and driving beneath the influence. He was suspended 1 recreation. He was suspended 5 game titles in 2005 and once more in 2006 for marijuana use.” knowledge-reactid=”36″>After leaving the Blazers, Robinson signed with the Phoenix Suns, wherever he’d keep for 4 seasons. He put in time with the Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets just before retiring in 2007. He violated the NBA’s drug plan a few periods in the course of his job, the very first time in 2001 when he was arrested for marijuana possession and driving beneath the influence. He was suspended 1 recreation. He was suspended 5 game titles in 2005 and once more in 2006 for marijuana use.

Immediately after retirement, Robinson turned his appreciate of marijuana into a small business. He became a supporter of legalization and set up the “Uncle Cliffy” brand name of hashish merchandise. He was also a contestant on the reality clearly show “Survivor” in 2013.

Robinson declared on his Twitter account.” knowledge-reactid=”38″>Robinson endured a brain hemorrhage in 2017, which prompted him to have a stroke. He also had a tumor eradicated from his jaw in 2018, which Robinson declared on his Twitter account.

The basketball globe mourns Robinson’s demise

When the information of Robinson’s demise broke on Saturday morning, the response on social media was instant. Enthusiasts, good friends, and gamers shared their recollections and celebrated his accomplishments amid an outpouring of sympathy for the a lot-cherished Uncle Cliffy.

Tale continues