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Nate Robinson

Nate Robinson is an American former professional basketball player best known for his 11-season career in the NBA.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Nate Robinson is an American former professional basketball player best known for his 11-season career in the NBA. A 5-foot-9 point guard, he played college basketball for the Washington Huskies and was selected 21st overall in the 2005 NBA draft. He became the NBA’s first three-time slam dunk champion.

Early life and college

Robinson was born in Seattle, Washington, and played college basketball for the Washington Huskies. He attended Washington before entering the 2005 NBA draft.

NBA career

Robinson spent 11 seasons in the NBA with eight teams, including the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans. He was known for his scoring ability and quickness at point guard.

Dunk contest success

Robinson won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest three times, in 2006, 2009, and 2010. That made him the first three-time champion in the event’s history.

Career statistics

Across 618 regular-season NBA games, Robinson averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. His listed height was 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m), making him one of the shorter players in NBA history.

Key facts

  • Robinson played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association.
  • He was selected 21st overall in the 2005 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns and later traded to the New York Knicks.
  • He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2006, 2009, and 2010.
  • He is listed at 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m), making him one of the shorter players in NBA history.
  • His NBA career averages were 11.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nate Robinson?
Nate Robinson is an American former professional basketball player who played 11 seasons in the NBA.
What position did Nate Robinson play?
He played as a point guard.
Which college did Nate Robinson attend?
He played college basketball for the Washington Huskies.
When was Nate Robinson drafted into the NBA?
He was selected 21st overall in the 2005 NBA draft.
How many Slam Dunk Contests did Nate Robinson win?
He won three, in 2006, 2009, and 2010.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Robinson
    Supports: Biographical details, NBA teams, draft position, and slam dunk contest achievements
  2. NBA.com — https://www.nba.com/stats/player/101126/career
    Supports: Height, weight, birthplace country, college, draft position, years of experience, and career averages
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/2782/nate-robinson
    Supports: Birthdate, college, draft information, and career statistics