Former Portland Trail Blazers Star Clifford Robinson Dies At 53 [CONDOLENCES]

Clifford Robinson

Former Portland Trail Blazers Star Clifford Robinson Dies At 53 [CONDOLENCES]

Prayers are going out to the family and loved ones of Clifford Robinson a.k.a. Uncle Cliffy, as he passed away at 53-years-old, according to reports Saturday (Aug. 29th).

While his cause of death has not been released, his former UConn coach Jim Calhoun revealed he suffered a stroke more than two years ago. Calhoun said in a statement to Hearst Media:

“It’s really sad to hear of this, because he was one of my kids, my players, a guy I watched grow into a man. It’s not an easy thing.”

“He was our first great player. He came from a difficult background in Buffalo, I watched him evolve as a man. … He was a good man, had a great career, and was instrumental in a lot of the great things that happened at UConn.”

Clifford Robinson played in the NBA for 18 seasons and took home the Sixth Man of the Year award in 1993. He won NBA Defensive Player of the Year the same year. He was also an NBA All-Star in 1994.

He played his first eight years in Portland, helping bring the team to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992.

The 6’11 NBA star went on to play for the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Warriors, and the [then] New Jersey Nets. He retired in 2007.

In 2014, he appeared in season 28 of “Survivor.”

The Trail Blazers and the UConn Men’s Basketball team each released a statement on his passing.

“The Trail Blazers organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Trail Blazers great Cliff Robinson. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Cliff’s family & loved ones. Uncle Cliffy will be greatly missed by the Trail Blazers & all of Rip City.”

He’s survived by his wife, Heather Lufins, who he married in 2003, and son, Isaiah Robinson.

Prayers for Cliff Robinson’s family, friends, and fans!