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Former Suns Player Cliff Robinson Dead At 53

Former Phoenix Suns player Cliff Robinson died Saturday at the age of 53. Robinson had a successful four-year run with the Suns after making his mark in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Robinson, with his ubiquitous headband, rose to prominence in Portland. He twice helped lead the Blazers to the NBA Finals, was named Sixth Man of the year, made the All-Star team in 1994, and was recognized as one of the league’s best defensive players.

He signed with the Suns in 1997, and in 2000, he became the oldest player to score 50 points in a game, accomplishing the feat at age 33. 

Robinson retired from the NBA in 2007, at age 40, making him one of the oldest players in league history. 

After retirement, he appeared on a season of Survivor and became a cannabis advocate - helping to pass Oregon’s recreational marijuana initiative in 2014.

Scott Bourque was a reporter and podcast producer at KJZZ from 2019 to 2022.