Last Updated on May 29, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Cliff Robinson stood out for his versatility, using his length and outside shooting to create matchup problems long before that style became common for forwards. His durability and willingness to adapt helped him remain a valuable contributor across nearly two decades in the league.

Here is the detailed information about Cliff Robinson:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Clifford Ralph Robinson
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: December 16, 1966
  • Hometown: Buffalo, New York, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm)
  • Weight: 225 pounds (102 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 3 inches (221 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Size 17 (US)
  • Jersey Numbers: #3, #30, #36
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Riverside High School (Buffalo, New York)
  • College: University of Connecticut (UConn Huskies)
  • NBA Draft: Selected in the 2nd round, 36th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1989 NBA Draft
  • Teams Played For:
    • Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1997)
    • Phoenix Suns (1997–2001)
    • Detroit Pistons (2001–2003)
    • Golden State Warriors (2003–2005)
    • New Jersey Nets (2005–2007)
  • Championship Rings: 0
  • Kids: Cliff Robinson had two children.
  • Siblings: Information about his siblings is not widely documented.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Cliff Robinson fit the archetype of a versatile stretch forward-big, a frontcourt scorer who was ahead of his time because he could defend across positions and also space the floor. Defensively, he filled a roaming help role rather than serving only as a paint-bound big, using his length and mobility to cover forwards, switch when needed, and make plays as a defensive-minded frontcourt piece. Offensively, he worked as a matchup problem: able to score from the perimeter, attack slower defenders, and contribute as both a starter and high-level bench weapon over different stages of his career. Physically, Robinson was listed at 6’10” and 245 pounds by NBA.com, giving him unusual size for a player with wing-like mobility and range. His overall style was loose, skilled, and adaptable—a modern-looking forward-center before that mold became common, with enough shooting, length, and all-around versatility to impact games without needing the offense built entirely around him. (NBA)

Sources: Clifford Robinson player profile — NBA.com; Clifford Robinson stats, height, weight, position, draft status and more — Basketball-Reference; Clifford Robinson: The NBA’s New Ironman — NBA.com; Former Trail Blazers star Cliff Robinson dies at 53 — NBA.com