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Clifford Robinson, former NBA player and Survivor contestant, dies at 53

By Leigh Oleszczak

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - MAY 24: Clifford Robinson #30 of the Detroit Pistons looks on in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Nets during the 2003 NBA Playoffs at Continental Airlines Arena on May 24, 2003 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Nets won 102-82. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - MAY 24: Clifford Robinson #30 of the Detroit Pistons looks on in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Nets during the 2003 NBA Playoffs at Continental Airlines Arena on May 24, 2003 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Nets won 102-82. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Survivor community lost Clifford Robinson on Saturday, who died at the age of 53. Clifford was most known for his NBA career.

Before he was dominating challenges in Survivor: Cagayan, Clifford Robinson had an impressive resumé in the NBA. He played college basketball at UConn before being a second round pick by the Portland Trailblazers in 1989.

Robinson played in Portland until 1997 and then bounced around the league, playing for the Phoenix Suns (1997-2001), Detroit Pistons (2001-2003), Golden State Warriors (2003-2005), and New Jersey Nets (2005-2007) before hanging up the cleats after close to 20 years in the league.

Here were some of his accomplishments during his prestigious NBA career:

  • 2x All-Defensive Player
  • 1x All-Star
  • Averaged 14.2 points per game
  • Averaged 4.6 rebounds per game
  • Averaged 2.2 assists per game
  • Averaged 1 steal per game
  • Made it to the playoffs in all but one season (missed 2003-2004 with the Warriors)

Cliff is obviously known for the time he spent in the NBA, but for those reading this article, that probably means you remember him partaking in Survivor: Cagayan, the 28th season of the show. Clifford was a part of the first Brains vs Brawn vs Beauty twist and rightfully was on the Brawn tribe.

He and the other five members of the Brawn tribe were dominant and his tribe even tried to throw a challenge to get him out, but they still managed to win (mostly because the Brains tribe was comically bad).

A tribe swap occurred shortly after and went from three tribes to two tribes. Cliff landed with all of his original Brawn tribe except for Sarah Lacina and was also joined by Jefra and LJ, making him think Brawn was in control. What Cliff didn’t know, however, was that eventual winner Tony Vlachos was gunning for him and took him out as soon as the new Aparri tribe went to tribal council.

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As of now, Cliff’s cause of death has not been revealed, but he had experienced a slew of health issues over the year since he appeared on Cagayan. Our thoughts go out to Clifford’s family.

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