UConn basketball player Stanley Robinson dead at 32

Stanley Robinson, former star forward for the University of Connecticut’s basketball team, died Tuesday at his home in Birmingham, Ala. He was 32.

Robinson’s mother reportedly found him unresponsive in a bedroom, and he was pronounced dead at the scene,  according to a news release. The cause of death is pending the results of  an autopsy that was performed on Wednesday.

Bill Yates, deputy chief coroner for Jefferson County, Ala, noted that “we found no evidence of foul play or trauma.”

Read More: Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade launch Social Change Fund

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

Calhoun, who recruited Johnson, said he is “truly heartbroken” over his death, and noted in a statement: “Stanley was such a beautiful person, caring and giving. He was a gentle soul, too gentle for this world.” 

Robinson, who turned 32 years old last week, scored 1,231 points and grabbed 776 rebounds over his four-year UConn career, per CNN. He helped his team win 90 games between 2006-2010. 

“He was easily one of the best athletes I ever coached,” Calhoun said. “He was not only loved by his teammates, but everybody who met Sticks liked him. He will always be a Husky.”

Robinson’s professional basketball career saw him play with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Developmental League and the National Basketball League of Canada, Iceland, Chile and several other countries. He was eventually forced to end his career due to injuries.

“‘Sticks’ just couldn’t ever get the break he needed,” Calhoun said in the statement. “But no matter what happened, he always had a smile on his face.”

Robinson is survived by three daughters.

Have you subscribed to theGrio’s podcast “Dear Culture”? Download our newest episodes now!