Alvin Robertson
From Hoopedia
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| 21, 3, 7 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shooting guard | ||
| Personal information | ||
| Date of birth | July 22, 1962 | |
| Place of birth | Barberton, Ohio | |
| Nationality |  American
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| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in | |
| Listed weight | 185 lbs | |
| Career information | ||
| College | Arkansas | |
| NBA Draft | 1984; Round: 1 / Pick: 7th | |
| Selected by the San Antonio Spurs | ||
| Pro career | 1984-1996 | |
| Career history | ||
| San Antonio Spurs (1984-1989) Milwaukee Bucks (1989-1992) Detroit Pistons (1993) Toronto Raptors (1995-96) | ||
| Career highlights and awards | ||
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| Alvin Robertson at NBA.com | ||
Alvin Cyrrale Robertson (born July 22, 1962 in Barberton, Ohio) is a retired American basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association from 1984 to 1993, and for one final season in 1995-96.
Best known for his defense, the 6'3" Robertson played for ten years after being selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the seventh pick in the 1984 NBA Draft out of Crowder Junior College and the University of Arkansas. After five seasons with the Spurs, He finished out his career with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Detroit Pistons and the Toronto Raptors.
He currently holds the NBA season record for most steals in a season (301) in 1985-86 season (with the Spurs). He also holds 4 of the top 10 NBA seasons for the most steals (260 in 1986-87, 246 in 1990-91, 243 in 1987-88)
Robertson was a member of U.S. national team that won the gold medal at the 1984 Olympics.
In 1986, Robertson became the inaugural winner of the NBA Most Improved Player Award. This also marked the first of four National Basketball Association All-Star Game appearances for the guard (the others coming in 1987, 1988, and 1991). He also won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1986, and led the league in steals in 1986, 1987 and 1991. Robertson still holds the top career steals-per-game average in the NBA, with 2.71 per contest over 779 career games.
Robertson twice led the league in steals. In 1985-86 he averaged a league-leading 3.67 steals per game, a major factor in his earning the Defensive Player of the Year honor and being selected second-team All-NBA, one of only five players in Spurs' history to have been selected first, second or third-team All-NBA. He was a three-time All-Star. Only George Gervin, David Robinson and Tim Duncan have represented the Spurs in more All-Star Games, while Manu Ginobili still trails Robertson in appearances with one.
Robertson led the Spurs in steals four of the five seasons he was with the club, three times averaging more than three per game. Though he played only five seasons in San Antonio, he ranks second in club history in total steals, with 1,129.
A multi-dimensional player, Robertson is one of only four NBA players to record a quadruple-double (double digits in four statistical categories in a single game) when he registered 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals whilst playing for the Spurs against the Phoenix Suns. He is also the only player to do so with steals as the fourth category (the other three were with blocks).
Robertson stole the ball in 105 consecutive games. That NBA record stood until it was broken by Chris Paul in 2008.
In 1994, the Detroit Pistons traded Robertson to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Mark Macon and Marcus Liberty. However, he never actually saw any playing time for the Nuggets due to pre-existing back injuries.
Robertson scored the first points in Toronto Raptors' history. Ed Pinckney won the franchise's opening tip-off, Robertson hit a three-pointer, and the Raptors were ahead 3–0.
Robertson has a history of off-court problems during and after his career. In August of 1997, he pleaded no contest to four misdemeanor charges of abusing a former girlfriend and was sentenced to one year in prison. He also spent a month in jail during the 1990 NBA off-season for beating his then-wife. Robertson was arrested again in San Antonio, Texas in January 2007, on a variety of charges, several related to domestic violence.
Robertson is the father of Tyrell Johnson, 2008 NFL 2nd round draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings.
