“The UConn Basketball household mourns the lack of a legendary participant and individual, Clifford Robinson,” the College of Connecticut Males’s Basketball Crew tweeted Saturday morning. Robinson was a former participant for the college.Robinson’s explanation for demise is unknown right now.The previous participant from Buffalo, New York, was drafted out of the College of Connecticut to play for the Portland Path Blazers in 1989 and was a crucial participant for the eight seasons he performed there. “He was our first nice participant… he got here from a troublesome background in Buffalo, I watched him evolve as a person… he was a very good man, had an ideal profession, and was instrumental in quite a lot of the nice issues that occurred at UConn,” former Huskies coach Jim Calhoun instructed David Borges of Hearst Connecticut Media.Robinson helped lead the Path Blazers to 2 NBA Finals and gained the 1993 Sixth Man of the Yr Award earlier than enjoying for the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors and New Jersey Nets. He was chosen as an All-Star as soon as, in 1994.Nicknamed “Uncle Cliffy,” the beloved participant retired in 2007.Former teammates mourn his lossMany of Robinson’s former groups and teammates honored him in tributes shared on Twitter.”The Path Blazers group is deeply saddened by the passing of Path Blazers nice Cliff Robinson. We lengthen our heartfelt condolences to Cliff’s household & family members. Uncle Cliffy will likely be enormously missed by the Path Blazers & all of Rip Metropolis,” his former staff stated on Twitter.Rex Chapman, who performed with Robinson throughout his time with the Phoenix Suns, mourned him on Twitter.”2020 sucks. Devastated with the passing of the most effective teammates ever – Clifford Robinson,” Chapman stated. “Man completely beloved to hoop. By no means missed observe. Guarded the hardest man each evening and was a strolling bucket. An excellent dad. Laughed on daily basis. Res, bro. Relaxation, Cliffy.”Mario Eli, Robinson’s teammate with the Trailblazers and the Suns, additionally honored the NBA star.”Misplaced one other brother at the moment Clifford Robinson. Among the finest staff mates and only a good dude. Relaxation in energy my man…Unhappy. Performed 18 yrs within the NBA,” Eli tweeted. The Golden State Warriors additionally mourned the previous participant and highlighted his love of basketball.”We’re shocked and saddened with the demise of Clifford Robinson on the much-too-young age of 53,” the Golden State Warriors stated in a press release. “Clifford was the consummate skilled who beloved the sport and performed with an unimaginable sense of each pleasure and depth throughout his excellent 18-year profession, together with two seasons with the Warriors. We lengthen our ideas and prayers to the household and pals of “Uncle Cliffy” throughout this troublesome time.”CNN’s Wayne Sterling contributed to this report.
