Former NBA player Clifford Robinson is dead, UConn, his alma mater, announced Saturday. He was 53 years old.
“The UConn Basketball family mourns the loss of a legendary player and person, Clifford Robinson. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cliff’s family at this difficult time,” the school said in a tweet. “Rest in peace, Cliff.”
No cause of death was initially provided.
Before coming to the NBA, Robinson starred with the Huskies. He was eventually named to UConn’s All-Century Men’s Basketball Team. His number “00” was also withdrawn in 2007.
Robinson was selected 36th overall in the 1989 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He spent the first eight seasons of his career with Portland, winning the 1992-93 Sixth Man of the Year award and becoming the Western Conference All-Star team in 1993-94.
He later also created two All-Defensive teams in 1999-00 and 2001-02. All in all, his NBA career spanned nearly two decades. In addition to his time with the Blazers, Robinson played on the Suns, Pistons and New Jersey Nets.
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