Cliff Robinson, ex-UConn star, top NBA 6th man, dies at 53

Cliff Robinson guided UConn out from the bottom and almost helped take the Portland Trail Blazers to the top. ”He averaged five points as a freshman and I remember I told him, ‘You have two choices: I can kick you out if you keep doing what you do, or I’m going to watch you play a lot of years in the NBA,”’ former UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. ”His personality and energy were unmatched, and his contributions on the court were unmistakable, helping the Trail Blazers into the playoffs each of his eight seasons with the team,” the Blazers said.