Three-time dunk champ Nate Robinson receiving kidney transplant

Field Level Media|published: Fri 7th February, 17:17 2025

Jul 31, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Former NBA player Nate Robinson in attendance during week four of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Aric Becker-Imagn Images

Three-time NBA slam dunk champion Nate Robinson said Friday that he was receiving a kidney transplant.

The 5-foot-9 guard who played 11 NBA seasons has been dealing with renal failure for the past seven years.

Robinson, 40, went public with his kidney issues in 2022. He has been regularly on dialysis during the battle, often experience painful vomiting and occasionally being hospitalized.

"I'm here to celebrate and thank the LORD for all he has done in my life, today is the day I get my new kidney, thank you to all the people that sent prayers and texted my phone giving me encouragement & love !!!" Robinson said on Instagram.

Though small in stature, Robinson was an outstanding leaper and won the slam dunk titles in 2006, 2009 and 2010 when he was a member of the New York Knicks.

Robinson played 4 1/2 seasons with the Knicks and excelled as a sixth man. He averaged a career-high 17.2 points per game in 2008-09 when he played in 74 games (11 starts).

Overall, Robinson averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 618 games (107 starts) with eight teams from 2005-16.

Robinson was a college star for three seasons at Washington -- located in his hometown of Seattle -- before being selected in the first round (21st overall) of the 2005 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns and immediately traded to the Knicks.

He played cornerback and returned punts for the Washington football team in 2002 -- picking off two passes in 13 games -- before deciding to concentrate on basketball.

--Field Level Media