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'Heartbroken': NBA mourns the death of icon Cliff Robinson

Clifford Robinson smiling during a Nets game.
The NBA world is mourning the death of legend Clifford Robinson. (Getty Images)

The NBA community is mourning the death of Portland Trailblazers great Clifford Robinson who died aged 53.

Robinson was a loved figure in the sport with his career spanning 18 years at the top level.

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Robinson, born in Buffalo, New York, in 1966, was instrumental to setting up UConn as a national contender in college basketball.

In 1999, Robinson was named to UConn’s All-Century Team. His number, 00, was retired by UConn in 2007.

After Robinson graduated in 1989, he was picked in the second round by the Portland Trail Blazers, kicking off an 18-year NBA career.

He would play for the Blazers for eight years, making the playoffs each time and helping take the Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992, though they lost both times. He was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 1993 and an All-Star in 1994.

He played 461 straight games for the Blazers to start his career, which still stands as a franchise record.

NBA legends mourn death of Robinson

The NBA world, including Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, expressed their sorry at the news.

The wider community also took to social media to express their condolences for a legend of the game and for what he had done outside of the NBA.

After leaving the Blazers, Robinson signed with the Phoenix Suns, where he’d stay for four seasons.

He spent time with the Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets before retiring in 2007.

The cause of death has not yet been made public.

With Liz Roscher - Yahoo Sport US