NBA

Former Celtics guard Nate Robinson has successful kidney transplant

"This man literally saved my life by giving me his kidney."

Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett pulls down a rebound as he is defended by Chicago Bulls power forward Taj Gibson and Chicago Bulls point guard Nate Robinson. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Nate Robinson had a successful kidney transplant Friday in Seattle.

The former NBA guard, who played with the Celtics in 2009-10 and 2010-11, thanked donor Shane Cleveland on social media.

“This man literally saved my life by giving me his kidney !!!” Robinson wrote. “Hey Shane just wanna let you know we are family now & you’re stuck with me.”

Robinson also thanked the University of Washington and all the doctors that took great care of them.

Cleveland responded: ” You are so deserving Nate, and I am proud to be a part of this with you. We both have beautiful families supporting us, and great care at UWMC. Let’s go!”

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Many NBA players reacted to the post, including Isaiah Thomas, Jermaine O’Neal, Jamal Crawford, DeMarcus Cousins, and more.

Robinson, a three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion, found out 20 years ago that his kidneys weren’t functioning properly and that he would one day need a transplant.

In 2021, he learned that his kidneys were failing, and he began weekly dialysis treatments in Seattle, per ESPN‘s Baxter Holmes. He first went public about his condition in 2022, then announced last spring that he needed a donor.

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