David Robinson

David Robinson was born on August 6, 1965, in Key West, Florida. His father, Ambrose, was a naval officer, and his mother, Freda, a nurse. When Robinson was still young, his father was transferred to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where Robinson grew up with his two siblings. He attended schools for gifted children since the age of six and, as a high school senior, scored among the top five percent nationally on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. He was active in sports, including tennis, golf, and baseball. Although he joined the basketball team as a freshman, he soon quit because he spent most of his time warming the bench.

After growing from five-feet-nine-inches as a freshman to six-feet-seven-inches as a senior, Robinson decided to give basketball another try. Although he became a star center for Osbourn Park High School in Manassas, Virginia, he lacked the exposure and experience to attract the attention of top college recruiters. Robinson, who was more concerned with getting good grades, wasn't worried about a future in basketball and enrolled at the U.S. Naval Academy. Robinson joined the Naval Academy team as a freshman, but played little. However, during the summer between his freshman and sophomore years, he grew five inches, to seven feet. When he was finally done growing, Robinson stood seven-feet-one-inch tall. For the first time, Robinson considered the possibility of pursuing basketball on a professional level.

As a junior Robinson led his team to the Elite Eight of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament. During the year Robinson averaged 22.7 points and thirteen rebounds per game and dominated on the defensive end, setting NCAA records for most blocks in a game (14), most blocks in a season (207), and most career blocks (372). Robinson's game continued to improve, and he was named to the Associated Press All-American Team in both 1986 and 1987. In his senior year he also received the Naismith Award as the College Player of the Year.

Soon after graduating in 1987 Robinson was drafted as the number one overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs. At first reluctant to play in San Antonio, Robinson was swayed by the offer of an eight-year, $26 million contract. The Spurs, however, would have to wait two years while Robinson completed his service obligation to the Navy before he could join the team. For the next two years, the future NBA star worked as an engineer at the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia.