Former NBA star Nate Robinson has been battling kidney issues for the better part of two decades now and was diagnosed in 2006 while still playing with the New York Knicks. Since then, the former Boston Celtics star has been on rigorous treatment for his condition while still continuing his professional basketball career.
By 2021, Robinson came to understand that his kidneys were shutting down and, in 2022, publicly revealed that he was suffering from renal failure. To manage his condition, the basketball icon had to undergo weekly dialysis treatments at a Seattle clinic. However, despite all the efforts, the condition worsened, and in 2024, Robinson announced he needed a donor.
Soon enough, he found one — a Central Washington University graduate, Shane Cleveland.
Nate Robinson Expresses Gratitude for Kidney Donor
On Feb. 7, 2025, Robinson underwent a successful kidney transplant at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. His donor, Cleveland, stepped forward and changed his life forever.
Following the surgery, Robinson took to Instagram to express his deep gratitude, posting a snap of himself with his donor and adding a heartwarming caption. Robinson acknowledged the enormity of what Cleveland had done.
“GOD bless this man named Shane Cleveland, y’all. Meet my donor, and he is one cool dude. I need everybody to stop what you are doing & follow him @pnw_whaler. This man literally saved my life by giving me his kidney!!!”
“Hey Shane, just want to let you know we are family now & you’re stuck with me. Y’all ever heard of family at first sight? Because that’s what we are. Big ups to the University of Washington & all the doctors that took great care of us.”
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For Cleveland, the decision to donate was about more than just helping someone in need — it created an unexpected lifelong bond. He also took to Instagram, sharing his excitement and connection with Robinson.
“I got another mom to answer to now.”
Cleveland’s comment hinted at how close he had become to Robinson’s family, embracing them as his own. It wasn’t just a medical procedure. He posted yet another Instagram post to further emphasize the bond he now shared with the basketball icon.
“My new brother!”
Robinson made history by winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest three times, in 2006, 2009, and 2010. He also won the Venezuelan League championship in 2017.
Robinson played in the NBA for 11 seasons from 2005 to 2016, joining eight different teams. Throughout his career, he averaged 11 points per game, with his best scoring season coming in 2008-09, when he put up 17.2 points on average in his final year with the Knicks.
