Nate Robinson’s kidneys are failing and the former NBA player is desperately on the lookout for a donor. Robinson recently sat down for an interview with Men’s Health, where he revealed he would die if he didn’t receive a new kidney soon.
Robinson was first diagnosed with kidney disease back in 2006. New York Knicks team doctors had warned him previously about his high blood pressure and tried to even stop him from playing at times, but he never listened to them. Doctors had also told him that his kidneys would likely fail in his 30s, but he didn’t believe them.
“I felt like I was Superman. I never thought I would get sick,” Robinson said.
When he first contracted the disease, Robinson would just check into a hospital on the days when his body felt terrible and would then go on his merry ways after being discharged. The 40-year-old thought he was Superman and that nothing would happen, but the doctors ended up being right.
In 2022, Robinson revealed he had been battling Renal Kidney Failure for four years. When his kidneys failed in 2018, he delayed treatment and that proved to be a mistake, especially because of what came next.
Two years later, Robinson had a bad case of COVID-19, which made his life miserable. He rushed to the hospital where he was given some grim news about his kidneys.
“They told me I might as well start dialysis today,” Robinson said. “‘Your kidneys are working too hard; they’re deteriorating as we speak. The only way you will walk out of here alive is if you start dialysis.’ It was the only thing I had left.”
Robinson isolated himself from family and friends following the diagnosis. He started acting angrily toward his children and “his lady” had to give him a kick up his backside to start treating them better. While his behavior changed, his condition wasn’t getting a whole lot better.
“Some days I didn’t want to leave the house; I just didn’t want to do dialysis no more,” Robinson said. “Some days, I did wanna be here, and do this, until I find a kidney.”
Robinson’s kidneys have been functioning at less than 15% of optimal capacity since they failed. He is hoping to get on the Washington state kidney transplant waitlist and eventually the national list at the earliest.
Robinson states it is harder for Black people to get a new kidney and there are various factors in play there. His father was also on dialysis for a decade but finally got a new kidney recently. Robinson now hopes he gets one from “family, friends, or a cool-ass fan.”
After Robinson went public in 2022, the likes of Jamal Crawford spread the word about him needing a kidney, but he still hasn’t gotten it yet. I hope he does get one compatible with his body before it’s too late.
Robinson played for 11 seasons in the NBA after being drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 21st pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. The Suns sent him to the Knicks via a draft day trade and he would go on to win the Slam Dunk Contest three times (2006, 2009, 2010) during his time with the franchise from 2005 to 2010. That was quite an accomplishment for a man who stands at 5’9″.
Robinson suited up for various teams following his departure from the Knicks and played his final NBA game in 2015 with the New Orleans Pelicans. He finished his career in the league with averages of 11.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 0.9 steals per game.
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