SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (April 6, 2009) He was born in Key West, Florida, the second child whose father was in the Navy. The family would move many times, to northern Virginia where he became a celebrated high school athlete.
But shortly before he made his Osbourn Park High School basketball team in Manassas, Virginia, the kid who was only 5 foot, 9 inches quit the game in junior high. Yes, David Robinson almost gave up on basketball. However, in the span of about four years, he suddenly grew to 6 foot, 7 inches. By his senior season, the coach added him to the team, where David earned all-area and all district recognition—but no college scholarships.
The rest is history. Robinson’s desire for an education (he had scored 1320 on his SAT) led him to the Naval Academy, where he majored in mathematics. But he also excelled in basketball and went on to become the greatest player in Naval Academy history.
Today, David Maurice Robinson is being recognized as one of the greatest basketball players ever. The Admiral, as he was known during his days with the San Antonio Spurs, will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA in September (10-12). The announcement was made today in Detroit, site of the NCAA Final Four.
A career that began with the Spurs during the 1989-90 season, and ended with a second NBA title after the 2002-03 season, found the soft-spoken lefty being named one of the NBA’s Top 50 Players of all-time. It also saw him become the only male basketball player to ever play in three Olympics, including the 1992 US Olympic Dream Team that won the gold medal in Barcelona.
To recognize David Robinson for his monumental achievements as a Spurs player, and for his on-going contributions to the San Antonio community, Nikco Sports is producing only 2,009 framed and double matted 15 x 17 inch photos of the Spurs giant for his Hall of Fame induction. These will be sold on a first-come basis for $89.95, with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas receiving a portion of the proceeds. This special promotion helps to raise funds for many youngsters who have life-threatening medical conditions and who look to their local Make-A-Wish Foundation for support to grant them wishes.
This historic limited edition item can purchased by calling 1-800-345-2868 or by visiting www.nikcosports.com. Each officially licensed photo will be individually numbered. In recent years, Nikco Sports has donated more than $1.7 million to children’s charities throughout the country.
“David Robinson exemplifies everything that is good about athletics and his accomplishments both on and off the court for the San Antonio Spurs makes this special commemorative even more meaningful,” said Nikco Sports CEO Craig Bidner, whose company has continued to give back to the community since its inception in 1992, including several projects in the San Antonio area connected to the Spurs NBA championships. “We’re very pleased to play a small part in this salute, and to tie in this historic moment with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
The framed color photo of Robinson features the Admiral finishing off one of his patented dunks. To the side of the photo, inset into the matting, is an engraved plate that lists just a few of the many highlights in his career, such as:
· NBA champion: 1999 and 2003
· NBA MVP: 1995
· NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1990
· NBA Rebounding Title: 1991
· NBA Blocked Shots Title: 1992
· NBA First Team: 4 times (1991-1992, 1995 and 1996)
· NBA All-Defensive Team: 4 times (1991, 1992, 1995 and 1996)
· NBA Top 50 All-Time Team
· Three Olympics: only male basketball player to ever play in as many Olympics
During the past several years, Nikco Sports has raised more than $1.7 million for charitable organizations across the nation with the issue of limited-edition sports memorabilia that has honored amateur and professional teams, as well as select athletes such athletes as Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Jerome Bettis, Ben Roethlisberger, along with Peyton Manning, Jim Kelly, Carson Palmer, Steve Young, John Elway, David Robinson, John Stockton, Lebron James, Magic Johnson, Roger Clemens, Don Larsen, Ryne Sandberg, Paul Molitor, Kirby Puckett, Edgar Martinez, Ichiro, Ozzie Smith, Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, Tony Gwynn, Craig Biggio and Cal Ripken Jr.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 67 chapters in the U.S. and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants more than 12,600 wishes a year and has granted more than 168,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception.
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