Not long ago, Robinson warned he “doesn’t have long to live” without a donor. But now, after a successful transplant, he’s focused on recovery. Though fans were aware of his life-threatening stage, few knew what happened next. How has the recovery been? What changed? Thanks to a recent podcast appearance, fans finally have a window into his post-surgery journey.
Fans tracking Robinson’s saga know the name Shane Cleveland well. He’s not just the man who changed Robinson’s life by donating his kidney—he saved it. With his wife, Kara, and their four daughters aged 17 to 9, Cleveland leads a life grounded in love and responsibility in Washington. Cleveland, a lifelong Husky fan whose wife, Kara, previously donated a kidney, volunteered after seeing Robinson’s plea at a UW football game. Still, one big question has lingered—how has Nate’s body responded to this generous gift?
That’s where Robinson’s appearance on the Straight Game Podcast comes in. Sharing details with raw honesty, he said, “Recovery was. It was cool. It was tough in the beginning because, you know, I was real limited on what I can do because when they put the kidney and they put it in, like, kind of in your stomach, so it’s, like, right next to your bladder. So now it’s here instead of my back.” Just imagine that—an organ now sitting right near the stomach, adjusting, healing. Even the simple act of walking isn’t completely normal for him, as he revealed on the podcast.
“For the most part, it just feels real tight. On your stomach. On your stomach because of the stitches and how they had to sew it back in,” Nate continued. But amidst the challenges, there’s also hope. Nate Robinson revealed that two weeks ago, he got the green light to begin physical activity again. “I’ve been in the gym every day. Right bright early in the morning from like, 6 to 8… I’ve been four years without… being able to work out… So I lost a lot of muscle. Got a little skinny. But now I’m getting the muscle back… Everything’s falling back into place…” he shared.
March 13, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Nate Robinson (2) reacts from the bench after a score against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Power Balance Pavilion. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-89. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Once on the brink of death, Robinson now hits the gym daily. And this is not where the former Knicks star intends to stop. If anything, he has both personal and professional ambitions he wants to fulfill.
Nate Robinson revealed the challenges and journey he intends to take from here on
After everything he’s been through, Robinson knows exactly what a second chance feels like—and he’s not wasting a moment of it. The former NBA guard has his eyes set on something deeply personal now: helping his daughter grow in the sport that shaped his life.
“I want to get into coaching, of course, helping my daughter. I want to get back in shape. That’s a big thing I want to do,” Robinson shared on Playmaker. And just like any competitive dad with a little sparkle in his eye, he added, “I want to look better than them when I’m 40.” But don’t think his vision ends at family or fitness.
Robinson is also thinking about stepping back into the public eye—only this time, on his own terms. “I want to get back doing my TV thing where I let the fans get a glimpse of my next 10 to 20 years of life, see how things are going. That’ll be pretty cool,” he said.
For someone who played 11 seasons across eight NBA teams, the game runs deep. Nate Robinson’s comeback is a case study in resilience. Medical teams repositioned his new kidney under the peritoneum, requiring an entirely new rehab protocol before weightlifting could resume. Within weeks, he was back on the court. Not chasing dunks, but perfecting form and strengthening his core. As he eyes a future in coaching and broadcasting, Robinson’s story is one of second chances and recovery.
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