'I Don't Have Long': New York Knicks Ex Nate Robinson to Make 'Best, Most' of Life

Former New York Knicks star Nate Robinson is looking to make the most of his life as he continues to face treatment for renal kidney failure.

Dec 15, 2008; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson (4) against the Phoenix Suns in / Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

In a candid interview with Jake Nisse of the Daily Mail, former New York Knicks star Nate Robinson spoke about his ongoing fight against renal kidney failure. Robinson admitted that, unless he finds a replacement kidney, he's "not going to have long to live."

"I know that I don't have long if I can't get a kidney,' Robinson told Nisse. "I know I'm not going to have long to live. So I just want to make the best of it as much as I can."

Robinson said that the timeline would be even shorter if not for continued treatment with dialysis machines, which have induced vomiting to the point where he has had to be briefly hospitalized.

'Some people's bodies reject dialysis, and thank God that mine accepts it and I can live," he said. "If I didn't go to dialysis, I wouldn't live probably longer than a week or two, so it's serious, can't miss a day. I go in for four hours, three days a week, four hours a day, and they clean my blood to get my toxins out, and they help me out a lot because that's how I'm living."

November 25, 2009; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson (2) drives past / Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Robinson, 39, revealed his battle with kidney failure in 2022, when he expressed a desire to be a leader in kidney health awareness.

An 11-year NBA veteran, Robinson arrived to the Knicks on draft night in 2005. He was originally drafted by the Phoenix Suns but was sent over with Quentin Richardson in exchange for Kurt Thomas and Dijon Thompson. Known for developing a respectable NBA career despite playing at a height of 5-9, Robinson won three a record Slam Dunk Contests as a Knick (2006, 2009-10) and became well known in New York for his efforts off the bench, which included a memorable block of 7-6 Yao Ming during a November 2006 showdown with the Houston Rockets.

Robinson would play parts of five seasons with the Knicks before he was traded to Boston in 2010. In addition to the Atlantic Division tours, Robinson also played games with Oklahoma City, Golden State, Chicago, Denver, the Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans.

Despite his diagnosis, Robinson expressed gratitude to still be alive and vowed to continue living every day to his fullest.

"I don't take it for granted," Robinson said. I just stay as humble as I can, and I just thank God for every opportunity."

"Every day is a blessing to be alive and to be able to do what I do every day."