Stanley Robinson, Former UConn Basketball Star, Passes Away at 32

Stanley Robinson, known for high flying dunks during his time with the UConn men's basketball team, passed away this morning. He was 32 years old. 

“He was just a really, really sweet kid,” said Jim Calhoun, who recruited Robinson and coached him from 2006-2010. “The world was harsh for him, because they weren’t all like Stanley Robinson. He was such a caring, giving person.”

Robinson was found by his mother at their home in Birmingham, Alabama. The cause of death has yet to be determined. 

The 6-foot-9 forward known by the nickname “Sticks”, was a part of the 2009 Huskies team that made it all the way to the Final Four. Robinson played in 126 games averaging 9.8 points and 6.2 rebounds. Huskies fans will best remember him for being a great teammate and for his windmill dunk in the marathon 6-OT game against Syracuse in the Big East Tournament.

Robinson took care of business on and off the court, but couldn’t get over the hump at the next level. 

“He was certainly one of the great athletes I’ve coached...he just could never get the break he needed,” Jim Calhoun said.

He speaks on the unfortunate injuries like his Achilles tear while playing in the NBA D-League that stripped Robinson of the opportunity to play in the NBA. The lockout in 2011 cut the forward’s ability to latch on with another organization. 

The Huffington Vikings, his former high school team, also sent out condolences to the entire program and his children left behind. 

In an interview with the Courant, he expressed his upbringing.

“I’ve been through a lot, growing up. My mom was always working the graveyard shift. But she made sure I had food in my stomach. I have a lot of motivation being cut by the NBA, not winning in the Final Four. If I made it, there would be tears of joy.”

Stanley Robinson was in the process of moving back to Connecticut to get back into basketball after working a few summers with the Hoop Dreams camp in Madison.