Most friends for life are joined at the hip. For three-time NBA Slam Dunk champion Nate Robinson and his new lifelong friend, Shane Cleveland, the bond runs deeper — they’re tied by a kidney.
The former New York Knicks guard, once racing against time as his kidneys failed, underwent a successful transplant last February. The donor was Cleveland, a stranger who became the answer to Robinson’s prayers and, in his words, his “guardian angel.”
“It was like meeting your guardian angel, it’s hard to explain,” Robinson told Heavy Sports in an exclusive interview arranged by mBit Casino. “When you’ve been fighting for your life for so long and you get a gift, like getting a kidney and hearing that you’re getting one — man, it changes your life.”
A Race Against the Clock
The transplant came just in time. According to clevelandclinic.org, dialysis patients often live five to 10 years, while a transplant from a living donor can extend that window to 12 to 20 years. Robinson was approaching the five-year mark when Cleveland came through in the clutch with the life-saving gift.
For Robinson, who once thrived on fastbreaks and highlight slam dunk reels, the fight was no less demanding than any pressure-packed game he’s played in the NBA.
The road to get there was grueling.
“It was four long years waiting for me,” Robinson told Heavy Sports. “I had to get healthy, get my blood pressure down, stay disciplined, and then hope someone would be a match. Shane was perfect. He didn’t drink, didn’t smoke, was healthy — just the perfect match. I was in a dark place for those four years. He saved me.”
From Donor to Brother
Today, Robinson describes Cleveland as more than a donor. They’ve become brothers.
“We’re in this little pick ’em league football where you pick your NFL games every week,” Robinson said. “He came to my birthday, and I’ve been to his house for the Fourth of July. We’re bonding our families together. I told him, ‘We’re family now, bonded for life.’ And I meant that.”
The friendship is built on more than gratitude. Cleveland has traveled to Seattle to spend time with Robinson, and their families have embraced each other as kin. “To be able to be friends with your guardian angel is a unique, genuine, unbelievable feeling,” Robinson said. “I’m so thankful.”
Protecting His Gift
Seven months after the surgery, Robinson is savoring his new life — and fiercely protecting it.
“I’ve been great. Drinking lots of water, eating fruits and veggies, staying away from processed foods and candy,” he told Heavy Sports. “I’m keeping this kidney healthy, treating it right. Shane blessed me with a perfect kidney, and I’m just enjoying life again — shooting around, coaching my daughter, being active.”
The Knicks Connection and Early Detection
Robinson’s fight with kidney disease dates back nearly two decades. In 2006, Knicks team doctor Lisa Callahan noticed his unusually high blood pressure and warned him his kidneys could fail in his late 30s. She was right.
Ironically, it was New York — the city that embraced his underdog story — that also detected the issue that almost ended his life.
“Once a Knick, always a Knick,” Robinson said. “That city will always have a special place in my heart. They gave me my first opportunity. That’s my second home.”
Robinson kept dealing with his emerging health issue at the time while he was entering his prime years. He became a fan-favorite at The Garden and reached his peak, averaging a career-high 17.2 points during the 2008-09 season and became the first three-time champion in the Slam Dunk contest.
Paying It Forward
Now, Robinson uses his platform to spread awareness. He urges others to get tested, know their bodies, and not ignore warning signs. He credits not only Cleveland, but also the Texas Kidney Foundation, led by CEO Tiffany Jones-Smith, for helping him through the hardest stretch.
“Health is wealth,” Robinson told Heavy Sports. “Always go get checked out. Don’t be afraid to talk about what you’re going through. Be vulnerable. That’s what I had to do — put my pride aside and let the world know. Somebody out there was listening. That somebody was Shane.”
Gratitude Above All
Robinson has returned to training her daughter, spending time with family, and reconnecting with basketball. But the thing he talks about most isn’t the court or even his health — it’s gratitude.
“To be able to be friends with your guardian angel is unbelievable,” Robinson said. “I’m totally blessed.”