Trail Blazers’ Rookie Pleads Guilty

Portland Trail Blazers’ rookie Cliff Robinson pleaded guilty today to punching a policewoman outside a Portland bar.

Robinson, 23, was sentenced to a year of probation and fined $250 for fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

Multnomah County District Judge Nely Johnson also ordered him to perform 50 hours of community service and to undergo counseling for anger management. A disorderly conduct charge against him was dropped.

Robinson, a second-round draft choice from Connecticut, was arrested about 3:30 a.m. April 29 after striking the officer during a fight.

Police said Robinson struck officer Elaine Slone as she and her partner tried to break up the fight outside Goldie’s Restaurant and Lounge.

The 6-foot-10, 225-pound Robinson was a key reserve forward during the regular season for Portland.

He took over the starting center’s spot after Kevin Duckworth broke his hand in the first round of the playoffs.

“I just want to say I’m sorry for this unfortunate incident and I want to apologize to the Portland Police Department, the Portland fans and Elaine Slone,” Robinson said in court today. “I never intended for anyone to get hurt.”