Cliff Robinson's net worth is best estimated at around $15 million to $20 million at the time of his death in 2020, built almost entirely from an 18-season NBA career that paid him roughly $62.5 million in salary between 1989 and 2007, not the unsourced $100 million some old aggregator pages repeat. Robinson was a durable, high-scoring forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets, best known for winning the 1993 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award and for the "Uncle Cliffy" persona that outlasted his playing days.
His exact investments and private assets were never made public. The $15-20 million range reflects his career salary total after taxes, agent fees, and typical athlete spending, plus modest post-career income from broadcasting, a cannabis brand, and a stint on "Survivor" -- not a Forbes-verified fortune, since Robinson was never a business mogul on the scale that a nine-figure net worth would imply.
Quick Facts
| Real Name | Clifford Ralph Robinson |
| Born | December 16, 1966, Buffalo, New York |
| Died | August 29, 2020, Portland, Oregon (age 53) |
| College | University of Connecticut (UConn Huskies), 1985-1989 |
| NBA Draft | 1989, 2nd round, 36th overall, Portland Trail Blazers |
| Known For | 1993 NBA Sixth Man of the Year; 1994 NBA All-Star; 18-season career (1989-2007) |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $15 million to $20 million |
Early Life and College at UConn
Robinson was born December 16, 1966, in Buffalo, New York, and attended Riverside High School there before enrolling at the University of Connecticut. He played four seasons for the UConn Huskies from 1985 to 1989, developing into a versatile forward who could score inside and step out to shoot. The Portland Trail Blazers selected him in the second round of the 1989 NBA draft, 36th overall -- a modest draft slot for a player who went on to log 18 NBA seasons.
NBA Career
Robinson spent his first eight NBA seasons with Portland (1989-1997), helping the Trail Blazers reach the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992. His signature moment as a Blazer came during the 1992 Western Conference Finals, when a celebratory dance earned him the "Uncle Cliffy" nickname that stuck for the rest of his career. In the 1992-93 season he won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, and in 1994 he made his only All-Star team. He was also twice named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, in 2000 and 2002.
After Portland, Robinson played for the Phoenix Suns (1997-2001), Detroit Pistons (2001-2003), Golden State Warriors (2003-2005), and New Jersey Nets (2005-2007), retiring in 2007 with 19,591 career points and 6,306 rebounds across 1,380 games. His streak of 461 consecutive games played remains a Trail Blazers franchise record. His career salary totaled an estimated $62.5 million, with his highest single-season pay coming in 2002-03, when Detroit paid him roughly $8.4 million.
After retiring, Robinson stayed in the public eye: he competed on "Survivor: Cagayan" in 2014, joined Dennis Rodman's basketball trip to North Korea that same year, launched a cannabis brand under the "Uncle Cliffy" name, and appeared in the 2019 Netflix documentary "Grass Is Greener" about cannabis and jazz.
His Death in 2020
Robinson died on August 29, 2020, at his home in Portland, Oregon, at age 53, following a roughly year-long battle with lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system, according to a statement from his family. He had also dealt with other serious health issues in his final years, including a stroke in March 2017 and a jaw tumor removed in 2018. His death drew tributes from the Trail Blazers organization, former teammates, and his college coach, UConn's Jim Calhoun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Cliff Robinson's net worth?
Best estimated at around $15 million to $20 million at the time of his 2020 death, built from roughly $62.5 million in career NBA salary plus modest post-career broadcasting, cannabis-brand, and media income -- not the unsourced $100 million figure some older pages list.
What is Cliff Robinson's real name?
Clifford Ralph Robinson.
What was Cliff Robinson's biggest individual award?
The 1993 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award; he was also a 1994 NBA All-Star and a two-time All-Defensive Second Team selection.
How did Cliff Robinson die?
He died on August 29, 2020, at age 53, after a yearlong battle with lymphoma.
Which teams did Cliff Robinson play for?
The Portland Trail Blazers (1989-1997), Phoenix Suns (1997-2001), Detroit Pistons (2001-2003), Golden State Warriors (2003-2005), and New Jersey Nets (2005-2007).