Rip City Project
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Portland Trail Blazers: 15 best draft picks of all-time

By John Buhler

BOSTON - 1970: Bill Walton #32 of the Portland Trailblazers makes a pass against the Boston Celtics during the NBA game at the Boston Garden in Boston, Masachussetts. 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 Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON - 1970: Bill Walton #32 of the Portland Trailblazers makes a pass against the Boston Celtics during the NBA game at the Boston Garden in Boston, Masachussetts. 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 Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Clifford Robinson, Portland Trail Blazers
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Forward Clifford Robinson had a long 18-year NBA career out of UConn. He played for five different franchises, most notably with the Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Suns. Robinson was an iron man for Portland, setting the franchise record for most consecutive games played at 461. Naturally, he was well worth the No. 26 overall selection in the 1986 NBA Draft.

Robinson would play his first eight NBA seasons with the Trail Blazers. As a rookie, Robinson would play in all 82 games in the 1986-87 NBA season. He would not miss a game until February 22, 1995, nearly a full six years into his NBA career. Robinson made the 1994 Western Conference All-Star team. He would be named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1993 as a member of the Trail Blazers.

Then in 1997 NBA free agency, Robison would sign with the Suns, where he would spend the next four seasons. He would make the All-Defensive second team in 2000 in Phoenix. Robinson made his second All-Defensive team in 2002 as a member of the Detroit Pistons. At age 40, Robinson would finally call it a career after playing with the 2006-07 New Jersey Nets.

Overall, Robinson would average 16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in 30.8 minors per contest in eight seasons with the Trail Blazers. Though he has no shot of making into the Basketball Hall of Fame, Robinson’s durability and defensive tenacity made him one of the most formidable frontcourt players in the NBA for nearly two full decades. His No. 00 jersey is retired by the University of Connecticut’s men’s hoops team for his collegiate contributions.