Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Former UConn star Stanley Robinson dies at 32

Connecticut v Georgetown

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 9: Stanley Robinson #21 of the University of Connecticut Huskies shoots a jump shot against the Georgetown Hoyas January 9, 2010 at the Verizon Center in Washington DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Former UConn star Stanley Robinson died on Tuesday night at a family residence in Birmingham. He was 32 years old.

Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said Robinson, who was known by his nickname “Sticks”, was found unresponsive at 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday night. He was declared dead 11 minutes later at the scene. Yates said that police are investigating, but that there is no evidence of foul play and that the official cause of death is pending a toxicology report.

Sticks played for UConn from 2006-2010, averaging 9.8 points and 6.2 boards for his career. A 6-foot-9 forward and a former Alabama Mr. Basketball, Robinson was known for his high-flying dunks.

Robinson is perhaps best known for what happened during his junior season. Initially ruled academically ineligible, he was forced to sit out the first semester and instead worked 40 hours a week at a factory in Willimantic, Conn., to prove to then-head coach Jim Calhoun that he was disciplined enough to return to the team. He rejoined the lineup that December. That March, he average 14.8 points and 8.4 boards while leading UConn to the 2009 Final Four.

“I am truly heartbroken,” said Hall of Famer Calhoun. “Stanley was such a beautiful person, caring and giving. He was a gentle soul, too gentle for this world.

“He was not only loved by his teammates, but everybody who met Sticks liked him. He will always be a Husky.”

Robinson was the 59th pick of the 2010 NBA Draft.