History of David Robinson in Timeline

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

August 6, 1965: David Robinson Born

On August 6, 1965, David Maurice Robinson was born. He later became a professional basketball player nicknamed "the Admiral".

Others born on this day/year

1983: Graduation from Osbourn Park

In 1983, David Robinson graduated from Osbourn Park high school.

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.

1988: Worst Record in Spurs History

In the 1988-89 NBA season, the San Antonio Spurs had the worst record in franchise history at the time, going 21-61.

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.

June 8, 1991: Became a Christian

On June 8, 1991, David Robinson became a Christian after being encouraged to read the Bible.

1991: Thwarted Quest for an NBA Title

From 1991 to 1996, David Robinson's quest to win an NBA title was unsuccessful.

1991: Marriage to Valerie Hoggatt

In 1991, David Robinson married Valerie Hoggatt.

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.

February 17, 1994: Quadruple-Double

On February 17, 1994, David Robinson recorded a quadruple-double against the Detroit Pistons, with 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks.

April 24, 1994: 71 Points Game

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

1995: NBA MVP

In 1995, David Robinson was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP).

1996: Injury Plagues Season

Early in the 1996-97 season, David Robinson hurt his back, and later broke his foot in December against the Miami Heat, causing him to miss the rest of the season. This led to the Spurs having a poor record.

1996: Named One of 50 Greatest Players

In 1996, David Robinson was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

1996: Named to NBA 50th Anniversary Team

In 1996, David Robinson was named one of the league's all-time players by being selected to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team.

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.

1997: Spurs Broke Turnaround Record

In 1997-98 season, the Spurs broke their own record for the greatest single-season turnaround in NBA history after drafting Tim Duncan.

1998: NBA Lockout

Before the start of the 1998-99 season, the NBA owners locked out the NBA Players' Association, leading to a truncated 50-game season.

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: Playoff Loss

During the 1999-00 season, the Spurs were defeated by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs, despite Robinson's strong performance.

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.

2007: Celtics Broke Turnaround Record

In the 2007-08 NBA season, the Boston Celtics broke the Spurs' record for the greatest single-season turnaround in NBA history.

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.

2008: U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction

In 2008, David Robinson was individually inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.

2009: Naismith Hall of Fame Induction

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

2009: U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction as Part of 1992 Olympic team

In 2009, David Robinson was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1992 Olympic team.

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: Master's Degree

In 2011, David Robinson earned a Master of Arts in Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word.

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.

August 2015: Justin Enrolls at Duke

In August 2015, Justin Robinson began attending Duke University as a "preferred walk-on" for the basketball team, later receiving a scholarship before arriving at Duke.

2016: Corey Ends Football Career

In 2016, Corey Robinson ended his football career at Notre Dame on medical advice after multiple concussions.

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.