Cliff Robinson, an early star in UConn's rise to power and longtime top sixth man in the NBA, died Saturday. He was 53.
Robinson's death was confirmed by UConn. No cause of death was given, though former Huskies coach Jim Calhoun said Robinson had a stroke 2 1/2 years ago.
"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," Calhoun said. "It's not an easy thing."
Nicknamed Uncle Cliffy, Robinson played 18 seasons in the NBA and helped the Portland Trail Blazers reach two NBA Finals.