Nate Robinson was always one of those players you would want to have on your team. He was a hard worker and didn’t back down to anyone.
Robinson wasn’t afraid to embrace new challenges, such as facing Jake Paul in a boxing match. So, when Robinson was diagnosed with renal (kidney) failure, he was ready to take this new battle head-on.
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Robinson was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2006, during his NBA career. Despite the diagnosis, he kept it private and continued to play basketball at an exceptionally high level.
It wasn’t until 2022 that Robinson publicly came out about his illness. He revealed that he didn’t have much time left unless he went on a dialysis machine.
“I know that I don’t have long if I can’t get a kidney,” Robinson said. “Some people’s bodies reject dialysis. And thank God that mine accepts it and I can live. If I didn’t go to dialysis, I wouldn’t live probably longer than a week or two. So it’s serious, can’t miss a day. I go in for four hours, three days a week, four hours a day. And they clean my blood to get my toxins out. And they help me out a lot because that’s how I’m living.”
The news saddened all NBA fans as most felt helpless to help Robinson. Then, Shane Cleveland showed up.
Kidney donation
The University of Washington, where Robinson attended college, put out that they were in search of a donor with an A+ or O blood type. Shane Cleveland, a father and boating enthusiast, stepped up.
He was a match for Robinson and decided this was what he wanted to do. On February 7, 2025, the donation occurred and Robinson had a new kidney.
Three years ago, I shared my story with @playmaker. Now, thanks to the generosity of a donor and the love of a new family, I’m starting a new chapter. Click the link to hear more about my journey.https://t.co/QZ7XBaTalH pic.twitter.com/6vSSXLoctx
— Nate Robinson (@nate_robinson) April 29, 2025
Robinson shared a heartwarming post on Instagram, telling Cleveland that, “we’re family now.”
Cleveland responded with one of his own, stating that Robinson was “so deserving” of getting a new chance at life.
Nate Robinson on IG: “GOD bless this man named Shane Cleveland…this man literally saved my life by giving me his kidney !!…Shane we’re family now…big ups U of Washington & all the doctors…”
Shane Cleveland: “You’re so deserving Nate & I’m proud to be a part of this w you…” pic.twitter.com/jscGx5o7xD
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) February 8, 2025
Robinson can now live a normal life as he looks to continue to be the best father he can be to his children.
If you want to learn more about kidney donation, check out the National Kidney Foundation‘s website.
https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/becoming-living-donor
