Uncle Cliffy's record broken

[uconngb]

Give us one. I loved Cliff when I was a kid. Had his 00 jersey that I bought at a game before buying jerseys was a thing. It was basically a white Fruit of the Loom cotton tank top with “Connecticut” and 00 on the front.

We were playing nerf hoop in my dorm room one night and let’s just say there may have been foreign substances involved. Watching Oklahoma play Kansas, this was his Junior year I believe.

He starts telling us “Wayman Tisdale, he doo-doo. Danny Manning?? Doo-doo. Im going HARDSHIP.

Now mind you, back then very few players left early and those two were the best two players in CBB. We cracked in him so bad, telling him he sucked, not even the best player in the BE, he had no chance to go hardship, etc.

It was hilarious. Phil Gamble was with us and he was on the floor laughing. They were great dudes to hang with, except Cliff would snap every once in a while.

 

[CL82]

Our Cliff Robinson didn't play in the league until 1989 and wasn't in the NBA as a teenager.

This is a different Cliff Robinson. Cliff Robinson (basketball, born 1960) - Wikipedia

Are you sure? Cause I'm pretty sure it's the same guy. By the way, he was also terrific as Uncle Ben in the first Spider-Man movie.

 

[DogMania]

Im pretty sure our Cliff did toss in over 40 at least once in his career. I was very good friends w him in school, used to get his tix for home games.

The stories I could tell…..

You are very right about that, as pointed out from what I found when looking up his single game high score:

"UConn legend and 18-year NBA veteran Clifford Robinson scored a career-high 50 points on January 16, 2000, while playing for the Phoenix Suns against the Denver Nuggets. At age 33, he was the oldest player at the time to record his first 50-point game."

I was clearly wrong and completely forgot that he had a long and quite successful NBA career. Definitely one that many of us have overlookded.

Cool to hear you were really good friends back when you were in school together.

 

[willie99]

Our Cliff Robinson didn't play in the league until 1989 and wasn't in the NBA as a teenager.

This is a different Cliff Robinson. Cliff Robinson (basketball, born 1960) - Wikipedia

I saw that the previous record was set in 1980, that can't be our Cliff

Our Cliff actually played for Perno and Calhoun, graduated from the program in 1989.

 

[uconngb]

I saw that the previous record was set in 1980, that can't be our Cliff

Our Cliff actually played for Perno and Calhoun, graduated from the program in 1989.

Graduated is being very generous

 

[Chin Diesel]

What is it, the mustache?

It's a shame injuries ended his career so early, he was a great player.

He would be even better today.

Nah. I appreciated Ruland and he had skills, but he is way too slow for today's NBA. He was a poor man's Sabonis before the broken down poor man Sabonis played for the Blazers.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Jeff Ruland I know because he's the least likely looking NBA player this side of Kurt Rambis
View attachment 116581

I actually think this card might be from when Jeff made his NBA comeback.

Never understood why HE would make a comeback. He looks absolutely gassed in this picture. They captured his essence perfectly

 

[superjohn]

Nah. I appreciated Ruland and he had skills, but he is way too slow for today's NBA. He was a poor man's Sabonis before the broken down poor man Sabonis played for the Blazers.

Sabonis was maybe the best center of all-time before we saw the broken down version of him in the NBA. If you're comparing him to the USSR Sabonis yes Ruland obviously wasn't as good as him, nobody was. It's always a weird comparison because Sabonis was 7'3 and Ruland was 6'10. The NBA Sabonis was totally washed do to injuries and not being able to move, Ruland could really move before the injuries. I get thinking Ruland couldn't move because he was only healthy for 3 seasons in the NBA and was already a shell of himself physically at 25 years old because of debilitating injuries and he was done at that point. He was a top 10 player in the NBA for 2.5 seasons and he dominated the best frontline ever and arguably the best team ever in the '83-84 Celtics in a hard fought playoff series.

They're two of the biggest what ifs I can think of in the NBA. Sabonis maybe would've been the best NBA center ever had he come over to the US at 21 and not had all the injuries and Ruland would've been a perennial all-star and could've possibly had a hall of fame career without all the injuries.

It's weird to say Ruland is way too slow for today's NBA because healthy Ruland in those first three seasons is faster than Jokic who has been the best player in the NBA for six straight seasons. Ruland before the injuries was built for today's wide open high scoring NBA which is based around offensive skill.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Sabonis was maybe the best center of all-time before we saw the broken down version of him in the NBA. If you're comparing him to the USSR Sabonis yes Ruland obviously wasn't as good as him, nobody was. It's always a weird comparison because Sabonis was 7'3 and Ruland was 6'10. The NBA Sabonis was totally washed do to injuries and not being able to move, Ruland could really move before the injuries. I get thinking Ruland couldn't move because he was only healthy for 3 seasons in the NBA and was already a shell of himself physically at 25 years old because of debilitating injuries and he was done at that point. He was a top 10 player in the NBA for 2.5 seasons and he dominated the best frontline ever and arguably the best team ever in the '83-84 Celtics in a hard fought playoff series.

They're two of the biggest what ifs I can think of in the NBA. Sabonis maybe would've been the best NBA center ever had he come over to the US at 21 and not had all the injuries and Ruland would've been a perennial all-star and could've possibly had a hall of fame career without all the injuries.

It's weird to say Ruland is way too slow for today's NBA because healthy Ruland in those first three seasons is faster than Jokic who has been the best player in the NBA for six straight seasons. Ruland before the injuries was built for today's wide open high scoring NBA which is based around offensive skill.

I knew someone would pull the Joker comparison. Thanks for not disappointing.

A Young Sabonis is a Top 5 center in history of basketball. The few clips available of him destroying the US including David Robinson are enlightening.

I was comparing Ruland to the broken down Sabonis in the NBA.

And Ruland is significantly smaller than either Jokic or Sabonis.

I won't argue over who was quicker, a young Ruland or Jokic. I doubt there is any way to change your mind or mine

 

[superjohn]

I knew someone would pull the Joker comparison. Thanks for not disappointing.

A Young Sabonis is a Top 5 center in history of basketball. The few clips available of him destroying the US including David Robinson are enlightening.

I was comparing Ruland to the broken down Sabonis in the NBA.

And Ruland is significantly smaller than either Jokic or Sabonis.

I won't argue over who was quicker, a young Ruland or Jokic. I doubt there is any way to change your mind or mine

If you can't admit saying Ruland before all the injuries is way too slow for today's NBA is a really silly thing to say, yep there's nothing to discuss.

Comparing young healthy Ruland to broken down Sabonis who couldn't move in the NBA is also incredibly silly. There's clips all over the place and entire games so you don't have to go off of memory.

 

[boog204]

Gotta admit, didn’t have Jeff Ruland arguments on my BY bingo card today…

 

[Chin Diesel]

If you can't admit saying Ruland before all the injuries is way too slow for today's NBA is a really silly thing to say, yep there's nothing to discuss.

Comparing young healthy Ruland to broken down Sabonis who couldn't move in the NBA is also incredibly silly. There's clips all over the place and entire games so you don't have to go off of memory.

Watch Sabonis with the Soviet teams and watch Sabonis with the Trailblazers.

Then watch Ruland.

And you're going on record saying Ruland at any point in his pro career looks more like Soviet Sabonis than Trailblazer Sabonis? Odd hill to die on. But do you.

 

[superjohn]

Watch Sabonis with the Soviet teams and watch Sabonis with the Trailblazers.

Then watch Ruland.

And you're going on record saying Ruland at any point in his pro career looks more like Soviet Sabonis than Trailblazer Sabonis? Odd hill to die on. But do you.

You're pretending to have the reading comprehension of a nursery schooler.

This is Waylon level bad from you.

 

[Windham4th]

Jeff Ruland I know because he's the least likely looking NBA player this side of Kurt Rambis
View attachment 116581

This screams wrestling coach

 

[Dove]

I miss CliffSpliffy.

 

[uconnric]

Here's a photo

That’s Cliff Robertson

 

[nomar]

That’s Cliff Robertson

 

[FfldCntyFan]

That’s Cliff Robertson

AKA The Big Kahuna.

 

[GampelPBA]

Nice tribute: Riverside recognizes Clifford Robinson’s basketball legacy

I remember him driving up to Windham in the Jungle in his gold Oldsmobile 88 (or similar) to pick up a 'package'.

Riverside recognizes Clifford Robinson’s basketball legacy
Jonah Bronstein
Thu, February 12, 2026 at 8:34 PM EST
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame decades ago for his distinguished hardwood achievements, the late Clifford Robinson has now taken his rightful place enshrined in the hallways at Riverside High School.

A gallery of framed jerseys, photographs, memorabilia, news clippings and informational plaques commemorating Robinson’s four years at University of Connecticut and 18 seasons in the NBA was unveiled this week. The collected artifacts were curated by varsity basketball coach and teacher Joseph Sausner.

“This is really a fantastic event,” said Bill “Ice” Russell, who coached Robinson at Riverside, where the gymnasium has been named in Russell’s honor. “Coach Sausner and the Riverside people did a phenomenal job putting this together.”

The reception showcased highlights of Robinson playing for the Portland Trailblazers in the NBA Finals against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, along with custom printed t-shirts and buttons with Robinson’s likeness being sold by Riverside cheerleaders.

“When I got to Riverside and found out about Clifford Robinson playing here, I said where’s his plaque, where’s his statue?” Sausner said. “Two things I wanted to do here was name the gym for Ice, and do something for Cliff. We got some donations to get it rolling and piece by piece, we finally had enough to put it together.”

Clifford Robinson, a Buffalo hoop hero ahead of his time

Robinson graduated from Riverside in 1985, making the All-Western New York team as a senior, and won an NIT championship at UConn, leaving as the school’s fourth leading career scorer at the time with 1,664 points. He made the Huskies all-century team and had his jersey No. 00 retired.

Drafted with the 36 pick in the second round by Trailblazers in 1989, Robinson made the playoffs in 17 of his 18 seasons with Portland, Phoenix, Golden State and New Jersey. The NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 1993, an All-Star the following season, and a two-time All-Defensive team selection, Robinson’s 1,350 games played ranks 15th all-time, and his 19,551 points are 55th in NBA history.

 

[Waquoit]

UConn fans should know Cliff played 4 years at UConn.

 

[Stew Crew]

UConn fans should know Cliff played 4 years at UConn.

Well, really 3 1/2. He and Gamble were declared academically ineligible for 2nd semester in 86-87. On the bright side, the situation allowed for the growth of Greg Economou and James Spradling.

Too many members of that team left us too early. Robinson, Ursery, Jeff King

 

[Lafayette]

Well, really 3 1/2. He and Gamble were declared academically ineligible for 2nd semester in 86-87. On the bright side, the situation allowed for the growth of Greg Economou and James Spradling.

Too many members of that team left us too early. Robinson, Ursery, Jeff King

but I mean Cliffy "played" at UConn for 4 years.....

 

[StllH8L8ner]

I miss @cliffspliffy.

Did he really pass away or what that some poster’s alter ego handle to preserve anonymity? He struck me as a lot smarter than the gibberish writing style he used.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Gotta admit, didn’t have Jeff Ruland arguments on my BY bingo card today…

In a 'Tale of 2 Cliff Robinsons' thread that pivoted off Cooper Flagg almost instantly.

Feel good thread of the week.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Nice tribute: Riverside recognizes Clifford Robinson’s basketball legacy

I remember him driving up to Windham in the Jungle in his gold Oldsmobile 88 (or similar) to pick up a 'package'.

Riverside recognizes Clifford Robinson’s basketball legacy
Jonah Bronstein
Thu, February 12, 2026 at 8:34 PM EST
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame decades ago for his distinguished hardwood achievements, the late Clifford Robinson has now taken his rightful place enshrined in the hallways at Riverside High School.

A gallery of framed jerseys, photographs, memorabilia, news clippings and informational plaques commemorating Robinson’s four years at University of Connecticut and 18 seasons in the NBA was unveiled this week. The collected artifacts were curated by varsity basketball coach and teacher Joseph Sausner.

“This is really a fantastic event,” said Bill “Ice” Russell, who coached Robinson at Riverside, where the gymnasium has been named in Russell’s honor. “Coach Sausner and the Riverside people did a phenomenal job putting this together.”

The reception showcased highlights of Robinson playing for the Portland Trailblazers in the NBA Finals against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, along with custom printed t-shirts and buttons with Robinson’s likeness being sold by Riverside cheerleaders.

“When I got to Riverside and found out about Clifford Robinson playing here, I said where’s his plaque, where’s his statue?” Sausner said. “Two things I wanted to do here was name the gym for Ice, and do something for Cliff. We got some donations to get it rolling and piece by piece, we finally had enough to put it together.”

Clifford Robinson, a Buffalo hoop hero ahead of his time

Robinson graduated from Riverside in 1985, making the All-Western New York team as a senior, and won an NIT championship at UConn, leaving as the school’s fourth leading career scorer at the time with 1,664 points. He made the Huskies all-century team and had his jersey No. 00 retired.

Drafted with the 36 pick in the second round by Trailblazers in 1989, Robinson made the playoffs in 17 of his 18 seasons with Portland, Phoenix, Golden State and New Jersey. The NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 1993, an All-Star the following season, and a two-time All-Defensive team selection, Robinson’s 1,350 games played ranks 15th all-time, and his 19,551 points are 55th in NBA history.

And now we have the introduction of a second Bill Russell, Cliff's high school coach.