Nate Robinson Talks About His Kidney Transplant & Meeting Donor
Nate Robinson Opens Up About His Kidney Transplant & Meeting His “Guardian Angel” Donor
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“The first person I called was my dad because he went through kidney failure, and he got a kidney [transplant] last year. And I called him and I told him,” he remembers. “They told me Christmas day. [It was] by far the best present I ever got in my life. Literally, I cried for like three days, and I was just thankful. And when I was in my room, I just dropped to my knees and thanked God.”
Heartwarming moments also show Cleveland and Robinson meeting in the hospital the day after the procedure, and the NBA player thanking Cleveland’s kids for his chance to live longer and become a grandfather.
Now that he’s on the road to recovery, Robinson is ready to get back in shape, coaching, training his daughter in the gym, and return as a sports analyst.
“I want to treat my body right, I want to look better than my kids,” he says with a laugh. “I just want to stay youthful and stay appreciative.”
Nate first went public with his kidney failure back in 2022, after doctors told him he didn’t have long to live. However, he’d learned he had renal issues more than 20 years ago while still in the league, knowing he’d one day need a transplant.
