Career Timeline of David Robinson: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how David Robinson made an impact.

David Robinson, nicknamed "The Admiral," is a retired American professional basketball player. He played center for the San Antonio Spurs for his entire 14-year NBA career. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Robinson is considered one of the greatest centers in basketball history, both in college and the NBA. He is now a minority owner of the Spurs.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1986: Led Navy to East Regional Final

In 1986, David Robinson led Navy to the East Regional Final of the NCAA tournament, narrowly missing the Final Four after a loss to Duke.

1986: FIBA World Championship

In 1986, David Robinson was a member of the United States national team at the FIBA World Championship, winning the gold medal.

1987: Drafted by the Spurs

In 1987, David Robinson was selected as the first overall pick in the NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. However, he had to fulfill his active-duty obligation with the Navy first.

1987: Pan American Games

In 1987, David Robinson won a silver medal at the Pan American Games with the United States national team.

1988: Summer Olympics

In 1988, David Robinson won a bronze medal at the Summer Olympics with the United States national team.

1989: Agreed to Play for the Spurs

In 1989, David Robinson agreed to play for the San Antonio Spurs after fulfilling his naval service, with a contract stipulation to be paid as much as the average of the two highest-paid players or be released to free agency.

1989: Led Spurs to Greatest Turnaround

In 1989, David Robinson led the Spurs to a 56-26 record, the greatest single-season turnaround in NBA history at the time. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

1989: First NBA Game

In 1989, David Robinson played his first NBA game for the San Antonio Spurs, after fulfilling his active-duty obligation with the Navy.

1991: Offered scholarships to fifth-graders

In 1991, David Robinson visited fifth-graders at Gates Elementary School in San Antonio and challenged them to finish school and go to college, offering a $2,000 scholarship to each who did.

1991: NBA Defensive Player of the Year

In the 1991-92 season, David Robinson led the league in blocks and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

1992: Summer Olympics

In 1992, David Robinson won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics with the United States national team.

1992: Olympic Gold Medal

In 1992, David Robinson won a gold medal with the US Olympic Dream Team in Barcelona.

1993: Duel for Scoring Title

In 1993-94 season, David Robinson dueled with Shaquille O'Neal for the NBA scoring title, ultimately winning it by scoring 71 points against the Los Angeles Clippers.

April 24, 1994: 71 Points Game

On April 24, 1994, David Robinson scored 71 points against the Los Angeles Clippers.

1996: Summer Olympics

In 1996, David Robinson won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics with the United States national team.

1996: Second Olympic Gold Medal

In 1996, David Robinson won his second Olympic Gold Medal.

1998: Awarded scholarships to students

In 1998, David Robinson awarded $8,000 to each of the students who completed his challenge from 1991, exceeding his initial promise.

1999: First NBA Championship

In 1999, David Robinson won his first NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs.

September 2001: Founded Carver Academy

In September 2001, David Robinson and his wife Valerie founded the Carver Academy in San Antonio.

2001: Founded Carver Academy

In 2001, David Robinson founded and funded the Carver Academy in San Antonio, a non-profit private school for inner-city children, investing $9 million.

2002: Retirement Announcement

David Robinson announced in 2002 that he would retire from basketball following the 2002-03 season.

March 2003: NBA Community Assist Award renamed in his honor

In March 2003, the NBA renamed its award for outstanding charitable efforts in honor of David Robinson, creating the David Robinson Plaque.

June 15, 2003: Second NBA Championship and Retirement

On June 15, 2003, David Robinson won his second NBA title with the Spurs, defeating the New Jersey Nets. This marked the finale of his career. He and Tim Duncan also shared Sports Illustrated magazine's 2003 Sportsmen of the Year award.

2003: Second NBA Championship

In 2003, David Robinson won his second NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs.

2008: Founded Admiral Capital Group

In 2008, David Robinson partnered with Daniel Bassichis to form Admiral Capital Group, a private equity firm focused on financial and social returns, to support The Carver Academy.

2009: Naismith Hall of Fame Induction

In 2009, David Robinson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career.

2010: Hall of Fame Induction as Part of Dream Team

In 2010, David Robinson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 1992 "Dream Team".

2011: Received Children's Champion Award

In 2011, David Robinson received the Children's Champion Award from the Children's Hunger Fund for his philanthropic efforts with the Carver Academy.

2012: Carver Academy becomes IDEA Carver

In 2012, the Carver Academy became a public charter school and was renamed IDEA Carver. David Robinson remains actively involved.

2018: Joined V Foundation for Cancer Research's board of directors

In 2018, David Robinson became a member of the V Foundation for Cancer Research's board of directors.

September 18, 2020: Justin Signs with Mornar Bar

On September 18, 2020, Justin Robinson signed with Mornar Bar of Erste Liga in Montenegro, marking the beginning of his professional basketball career.