Nate Robinson Opens Up About His Kidney Transplant & Meeting His “Guardian Angel” Donor

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After years of keeping his health issues private, former NBA player Nate Robinson has been sharing his journey of searching for a new kidney.

He received a transplant in February, and now he’s opening up about the process with his donor, Shane Cleveland, whom he now considers a member of his family.

The Slam Dunk Contest champ first told his story on the Playmakers YouTube channel and then returned to explain the whole story, which began with Cleveland’s love for sports.

In the video, Cleveland’s wife says he went to a Washington Huskies football game with his daughters when the Jumbotron displayed a message about Robinson needing a kidney. He scanned the QR code, and his wife—who had donated a kidney years prior—was on board as he underwent more tests to prove he was a match. 

While recovering, Robinson reveals his initial reaction to the surgery’s approval, a call that came on Christmas Day. 

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.