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The Delaware 87ers have never been an organization to shy away from picking up some high profile guards. Two-time All-Star Baron Davis joined the Sevens for an abbreviated six game stint last season, and they currently have legendary former Louisville point guard Russ Smith on the active roster.
The Sevens will now be adding 10-year NBA veteran Nate Robinson to the team, according to D-League Digest’s Adam Johnson:
The Delaware 87ers have claimed NBA veteran Nate Robinson off waivers, league source tells @DLeagueDigest.
— Adam Johnson (@AdamJNBA) February 8, 2017
Robinson, now 32, has spent time with eight NBA teams over the span of his career, and holds career averages of 11 points and 3 assists per game. The former 21st overall pick in 2005 is best known amongst NBA circles for being a three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion (2006, 2009, 2010), his first title coming in a controversial manner over former Sixer Andre Iguodala. He’s currently the only player to win three titles in the contest’s history.
In recent years, Robinson has struggled to solidify a spot on an NBA roster. In March 2015, the Seattle, Washington native signed two consecutive ten-day contracts with the Los Angeles Clippers, but was eventually released due to injury. He signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans before the start of the 2015-16 season, and was waived after appearing in the team’s first two games.
Since then, Robinson, a former corner back at the University of Washington, has flirted with a potential career in the NFL (only to be told by Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll that it would be nearly impossible), and inked a deal in March to play with Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. In 14 games for Tel Aviv, he averaged 16.2 points while shooting 42.9 percent from the field.
According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, he garnered interest from the Sixers when the team was in pursuit of another reserve point guard. They opted to sign Chasson Randle instead.
Robinson has been out of professional basketball since his brief stint overseas, but made it clear he’s desperate for another shot at the NBA.
Three-time dunk contest champ Nate Robinson is determined to get another shot in the NBA pic.twitter.com/aSKGMCcBf5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 2, 2017
By joining the Sevens, Robinson should have the opportunity to prove whether or not he’s still capable of playing at a high level. Delaware will need his scoring prowess; the team announced former Temple shooting guard Dionte Christmas will be out for the rest of the season with a right Achilles tendon rupture he suffered on Tuesday.