David Robinson, known by his nickname “The Admiral,” is a retired American professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest centers in NBA history. In this article, we will delve into the life and legacy of this legendary athlete, with a focus on his net worth and his impressive business endeavors.
Early Life and Collegiate Career
David Robinson was born on August 6, 1965, in Key West, Florida. Due to his father’s service in the US Navy, Robinson moved frequently with his family as a youth. They eventually settled in Woodbridge, Virginia, where Robinson excelled in both academics and sports.
After graduating from high school in 1983, Robinson chose to enroll at the US Naval Academy, where he played on the basketball team and majored in mathematics. By the beginning of his sophomore year, Robinson had grown to 7 feet 1 inch (2.16 m), preventing him from serving on any US naval craft. He went on to become what many consider the greatest basketball player in Naval Academy history, winning both the Naismith and Wooden Awards as a senior.
Start with San Antonio Spurs
In 1989, Robinson signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs. Immediately, he made history with the greatest single-season turnaround in NBA history to that point, bringing the floundering team – which had a franchise-worst record of 21-61 the previous season – to a record of 56-26. Moreover, he helped lead the Spurs to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. For his incredible contributions, Robinson was unanimously named NBA Rookie of the Year. The Spurs would go on to make the playoffs for the next seven consecutive seasons.
Robinson’s success continued in 1995 when he won the NBA MVP trophy. The next year, he was named one of the 50 best players in NBA history. However, he still had yet to win an NBA championship title. Robinson’s dreams of winning that honor were thwarted again in 1997 when he injured his back during the preseason. After returning to the court in December, he broke his foot in a home game and had to miss the remainder of the regular season. Despite an abysmal 20-62 record, the Spurs ended up winning the NBA Draft Lottery, with which the team selected superstar player Tim Duncan.
With Duncan on the team, the Spurs finished the 1998-99 season with an NBA-best record of 37-13 and went on to advance to the NBA playoffs. The Spurs easily swept the first three rounds of the playoffs, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, and Portland Trail Blazers by a combined record of 11-1. As a result, the Spurs made it to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Thanks to the combined power of Robinson and Duncan, the team ended up winning the championship title in five games over the New York Knicks. Robinson and Duncan were nicknamed “The Twin Towers” for their achievement.
During the final years of his playing career, Robinson was beset by back injuries. He consequently announced his retirement following the 2002-03 season. Ultimately, Robinson managed to go out with a bang: in that final season, he and the Spurs won a second NBA championship title in six games over the New Jersey Nets. In the final game, Robinson recorded 13 points and 17 rebounds to clinch the win. With Duncan, he shared Sports Illustrated magazine’s Sportsmen of the Year award for 2003.
David Robinson’s Net Worth
As of 2023, David Robinson’s net worth is estimated to be around $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.