Nathaniel Cornelius Robinson was born on May 31, 1984 in Seattle, Washington. Even at a young age it was apparent that he was going to be a dynamo on the hardwood and football field.
He went to Rainier Beach High School as a freshman and sophomore and played for coach Mark Haley. In 2002 after returning form James Logan, in California, he helped Rainier Beach High School football team to a 9-2 record and the second round of the state 3A playoffs. He was a double-threat on offense, totaling over 1,200 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving to go with 21 touchdowns.
He garnered many accolades for his football prowess as a running back and wide receiver. He matched and surpassed his football honors on the court. He averaged 17.9 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals per game as a senior in 2002, and was named the AAA State player of the year in Washington.
He even led his team to a no. 7 national ranking in USA Today, and was one of the 100 finalists for the McDonald’s High School All-America team. Also in 2002 he was named the AAA player of the year for football and was a SuperPrep All-American in 2001 and was ranked as the nation’s 17th-best player at the athlete position.
He also was a standout in track and field, setting a Washington state record of 13.85 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles. He also placed second in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2002 state track meet. Following a High School career that was nothing he was offered a scholarship to the University of Washington.
Robinson had a successful collegiate career in which he led the Washington Huskies to two straight NCAA basketball tournament appearances, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance during his junior year.
At the end of that season he was named a third-team Associated Press and National Association of Basketball Coaches All-American. He also played cornerback for the Washington Huskies. Robinson’s college football career is most remembered for his interception in the final minutes of regulation of the 2002 Apple Cup against the Washington State Cougars, who were at the time ranked #3 in the AP poll.
He intercepted a pass thrown by Matt Kegel, with minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Cougars leading by 3 points. The Huskies scored a field goal on the ensuing possession and won the game in triple overtime. He entered the NBA draft was selected 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns, in the 2005 draft.
He was subsequently traded to the New York Knicks. His playing ability has been overshadowed by his dunking ability. He is the only 3-time NBA slam-dunk champion; his theatrics at the event have been well documented. His season average of 12.4 pts per game and 2.7 assists per game show he is a solid basketball player and not just a little guy that can dunk.
He won the prestigious Frances Pomeroy Naismith award in 2005, his senior year of college. An award to honor players shorter-than-average that have become stars. In the NBA, Nate has not been able to avoid trouble. In his rookie year he reportedly involved in physical altercations between teammates Jerome James and Malik Rose. He was almost demoted to the NBA Development League.
In his sophomore year he was involved in a brawl with the Denver Nuggets and was suspended for 10 games. , and since has been fined numerous times for insubordination. Nate Robinson has three children: two sons Nahmier, born Oct. 26, 2004, and Ny’ale Cameron, born Jul. 17, 2006, and daughter, Navyi Caiann, born on Sep. 17, 2009