Clifford Robinson is a basketball player that played for the NBA. Clifford Robinson is best remembered for his undeniable on-field and off-field personality. Robinson has also been dubbed the “predecessor of the modern center” over the course of his 18-year NBA career.
He has played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets since being drafted in the NBA Draft in 1989.
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Early Life, Family, and Education
Clifford Robinson was born under the sign of Sagittarius on December 16, 1966, in Buffalo, New York.
According to his mother, Helena Horne, he was born in Buffalo, New York.
Robinson, according to accounts, lost his father while he was young and did not have any siblings.
Furthermore, he has no precise information regarding his childhood or family background
Senior High School
Clifford Robinson was a basketball player at Riverside High School, where his mother urged him to do so.
Robinson was said to have been a short lad as a child, and no one expected him to grow tall.
However, he has been going through a growth spurt since high school, and as a result, he began playing basketball. Robinson, it appears, was also a member of the Big East Conference.
Overall, Robinson’s breakthrough came during his sophomore year, when he was improving and attracting the attention of more universities.
College
During Robinson’s high school years, the University of Connecticut sent him the most important letter of recruitment.
Clifford considered committing to that university when former UConn assistant coach Howie Dickenman expressed interest in him.
Clifford began his playing career in 1985 with UConn, where he spent four seasons.
His proudest moment came in 1988, when the Huskies won the National Invitation Tournament championship.
Robinson was chosen to the all-tournament team at the time.
Robinson was also chosen to the All-Century men’s basketball team at UConn. Clifford’s number “00” was retired at Gampel Pavilion on February 5, 2007, as part of the “Huskies of Honor” ceremony.
Facts of Clifford Robinson
Full Name | Clifford Ralph Robinson |
Date of Birth | December 16, 1966 |
Birth Place | Buffalo, New York |
Nick Name | Uncle Cliffy |
Religion | Christianity |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Black |
Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
Death Date | August 29, 2020 |
Height | 6’10” (2.08 m) |
Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
Hair Color | Black |
Eye Color | Black |
Build | Athletic |
Father’s Name | Name Unknown |
Mother’s Name | Helena Horne |
Siblings | None |
Education | Riverside High School University of Connecticut |
Marital Status | Married |
Wife | Heather Lufkins (m. 2003) |
Kids | A son, Isaiah Robinson |
Profession | Basketball player |
Position | Forward / Center |
Affiliations | Portland Trail Blazers (1989-1997) Phoenix Suns (1997-2001) Detroit Pistons (2001-2003) Golden State Warriors (2003-2005) New Jersey Nets (2005-2007) |
Playing Career | 1989–2007 |
Net Worth | $20 million |
Social Media | |
Merch | Autograph, Basketball Card |
Last Update | April 2022 |
Salary and Net Worth
Clifford Robinson’s net worth is estimated to be $20 million as of 2022. Robinson earned $62.5 million in salary as an NBA player, according to sources.
His highest salary to date was $8.42 million, which he earned while playing for the Pistons in 2002-2003.
Furthermore, his cannabis-related business has expanded globally, making him “the face of Sports Cannabis.”
Professional Career
Clifford entered the 1989 NBA draft after graduating from college, and he claims that the transition from college to professional basketball was difficult. However, as the 36th overall pick in the second round, he was taken by the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team based in Portland,
Robinson played in every playoff game for the team during his time with them. In 1990 and 1992, he was also a part of the NBA Finals, earning him the Sixth Man of the Year Award.
In total, he averaged 19.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.99 blocks per game, which was a career-high. In addition, he was named an All-Star in 1994.
During the 1992 Western Conference Finals against the Utah Jazz, he was reportedly dubbed “Uncle Cliffy.” To give you an example, the moniker came from his victory dance after the game, when he told the journalists what it was called.
Uncle Cliffy, on the other hand, stayed with him for the rest of his career because he had the iron man streak. During the game against the Golden State Warriors, though, his run was snapped.
In total, his streak was the longest in franchise history, spanning eight seasons.
The Phoenix Suns signed him as a free agent after he said his goodbyes to the Blazers after four years with the franchise.
Robinson also became the oldest NBA player (33 years old) to score 50 points in a game, which he did against the Denver Nuggets.
Clifford was dealt to the Detroit Pistons on June 29, 2001, in exchange for Jud Buechler and John Wallace.
Warriors of Golden State
Robinson played 82 games for the Golden State Warriors during the regular season after being acquired in exchange for Bob Sura.
Robinson joined the New Jersey Nets after a long journey from team to team. He spent two seasons with them. After that, he was released in July 2007 and retired from the NBA.-Quotes from Robinson
Beyond Basketball
Clifford, for those unfamiliar with his name, is one of the proponents of cannabis legalization (marijuana).
He has backed reforms to cannabis legislation in the states of Oregon and Connecticut in the United States.
Having said that, he is a cannabis entrepreneur whose brand name in the market is Uncle Cliffy.
Robinson also appeared in the 2013 film Survivor (an American reality television series), which aired in 2014.
Cliff also revealed in one of his interviews that he had one of the most difficult experiences on the Survivor reality show. He stated that it was more difficult than the NBA.
Clifford was a contestant on the show Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty, where he represented the Brawn tribe.
By the end of the series, he was in 14th position overall.
Professional Career Highlights
Robinson flew to North Korea after retiring from the NBA to play in a competition against the Northern Korean Senior National Basketball Team.
The gathering was planned by Dennis Rodman to commemorate Kim Jong-birthday. un’s Overall, the purpose of the tour was to promote “basketball diplomacy” between the two countries.
Robinson’s career statistics show that he averaged 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.05 steals, and 1.03 blocks per game.
In total, he appeared in 1,380 games for 42,561 minutes in the NBA.
As a result, this record was second only to Kevin Willis among active players, 14th among retired players, and first in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
He was one of just two players still active in the 2007 league after being drafted in 1980, thanks to his long-term career.
He was also the tallest player (6 feet and 10 inches) to make over 1,000 three-pointers, according to reports.
Not to mention, he was ineligible for the Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2015 Class. All in all, Robinson had 1,300 steals and 1,300 blocked shots in their ABA/NBA career.
Controversy
Robinson, who was playing for the Golden State Warriors at the time, was suspended for five games during the NBA playoffs on May 12, 2006.
He had previously been suspended in 2005 for violating the league’s drug policy. Cannabis, according to Robinson, is the reason for his NBA career’s longevity.
As a result, it aids in the relief of pain and anxiety, as well as the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.
Wife and Private Life
Clifford Robinson married Heather Lufkins on September 21, 2003, and they have two children.
According to sources, the couple married in a private ceremony on the island of Barbados. In addition, the couple has a twin son.
Clifford was previously married to Alfred Devuono before marrying Heather Therewith, and he has a son and a daughter from that relationship.
His son, Isiah Robinson, plays basketball for the Jefferson High School Democrats in Portland and the Houston Baptist Huskies, according to reports.
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Death & Health Issues
Robinson had Lymphoma and was never in good health.
Robinson suffered a stroke in March 2017 that paralyzed his left side of the body.
But it was all for the best because he was able to move his arms and legs again.
He was also dealing with a slew of medical issues, including a brain hemorrhage in 2018. In addition, he had a tumor removed from his jaw the same year.
Robinson underwent additional cancer treatment surgery the following year, in 2019.
Overall, he died of lymphoma on August 29, 2020, at the age of 53, after years of unknown battle.
If you don’t know, lymphoma is a group of tumors that arise from lymph nodes and lymphoid cells.
Despite this, Uncle Cliffy was always cheerful and full of energy.