Nate Robinson isn’t built like your typical NBA player. He stands a diminutive 5’9” according to the team. Despite all of his physical shortcomings, Robinson will be entering his eighth NBA season with his sixth NBA team, the Denver Nuggets. Robinson is well known for always choosing to wear single digit jersey numbers, but this upcoming season Nate has opted to go for the number 10.
Why the change you may ask? Well according to Yahoo Sports, Robinson made the decision to honor his favorite soccer player, Lionel Messi. In an interview, Robinson explains:
“I usually dig the single digit numbers, but No. 2 is retired. Alex English, great player. He was my coach at predraft camp when I played in Chicago. He was my coach and I averaged like 22 points and 8 assists, something like that, and he was just letting me go. I was like, “Man, it’s a pleasure. You rocked my favorite number.” I knew exactly who he was and I was like, “Man that No. 2, there is something special about it.” I’m going to change it up and wear No. 10. I’m going to wear it for [Lionel] Messi, that’s my favorite soccer player. I’ve been playing a lot of FIFA lately and watching the games. He’s the best little guy to do it and I’ve got to be the best little guy to do it at No. 10 in the NBA. That’s my goal.”
I like Nate as a player. No one can ever knock his drive to compete. Hopefully, Messi’s luck with the #10 translates on the basketball court for Nate.