Here are some of the records Oscar Robertson set in college and where he ranks on all-time statistical lists: A member of the 2,000-point, 1,000-rebound club. There were some big names like Eric Holder, former U.S. Attorney General, and Hall-of-Famer Rick Barry, whom Dandridge . The case led to the amendment of the free agency and college draft clauses. Milwaukee breezed by the San Francisco Warriors and Los Angeles to reach The Finals against the Baltimore Bullets. Also known as: Oscar Palmer Robertson, the Big O. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. From 1960 to 1968 Robertson was the only player other than Chamberlain or Russell to win the MVP Award. He graduated from college as the highest scorer in the history of the NCAA, a record which was broken in 1970. Early Oscar Robertson highlights. The name Oscar Robertson has become a household name over the years. Basketball as a senior. The Royals progressed to the Eastern Conference finals but were defeated by the Boston Celtics. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Oscar Robertson, in full Oscar Palmer Robertson, byname the Big O, (born November 24, 1938, Charlotte, Tennessee, U.S.), American basketball player who starred in both the collegiate and professional ranks and was considered one of the top players in the history of the game. [20], In the 196364 season, the Royals achieved a 5525 record,[21] which put them second place in the Eastern Division. [22] From the 196465 season on, things began to turn sour for the franchise. Robertson, too poor to own a basketball as a child, signed for $33,000 per year. Prior to Russel Westbrook 2016/17 triple-double basketball season, he said he was sceptical anyone could do it. The story of Oscar Robertson is one of a shy black child growing up in a city so segregated that, until he is ten years old, his only exposure to white people is the distant memory of two. A player with a very eccentric personality, Robertson is seen as a hero in not just basketball but in sports in general as he is one of the stars who rose above the domineering force of racism. [2], Robertson attended Crispus Attucks High School, an all-black high school, where he was coached by Ray Crowe, whose emphasis on a fundamentally sound game had a positive effect on his style of play. Despite his success on the court, Robertson's college career was soured by racism. In the 196970 season, the sixth disappointing season in a row, fan support was waning. [17], In the 196162 season, Robertson became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season, with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists. Robertson was born in Charlotte, Tennessee, but he grew up in Indianapolis. Statistically, one need look no further than the numbers Robertson put up in 1961-62, just his second year in the league: 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game a triple-double average for an entire season. In the 196768 season, Robertson became the first of only two players in NBA history to lead the league in both scoring average and assists per game in the same season (also achieved by Nate Archibald). [39] In 1997, Robertson donated one of his kidneys to his daughter Tia, who suffered lupus-related kidney failure. He won the NBA MVP award and became the only player other than Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to win it from 1960 to 1968. She Once Posed for Photos with a Plastic Surgeon, Who Was Adreian Payne? Robertson also ended Cousys eight-year string of regular-season assists titles by leading the league with 9.7 per game. Oscar Robertson is a well-recognized public figure with a global reputation. Oscar has the edge in passing, dribbling, and shooting. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, NBA Legends: Profiling the league's greats, Series preview: What to expect in Warriors-Lakers, 5 takeaways from Warriors' Game 7 victory, 5 takeaways from Heat's Game 1 win over Knicks, Curry sets Game 7 record with 50 points vs. Kings, Brooks fined $25K for violating interview rules. When he was approximately 18 months old, his parents moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he grew up in a segregated housing project. [14], Prior to the 196061 NBA season, Robertson made himself eligible for the 1960 NBA draft. He, however, did not win the NCAA Championship. [2] Furthermore, he is also credited with having invented the head fake and the fadeaway jump shot, a shot which Michael Jordan later became famous for. Robertson was trained by his high school coach, whose emphasis on a fundamentally sound game had a positive effect on the star's style of play. Basketball player Oscar Robertson was born on November 24, 1938 in Charlotte, Tennessee to Mazell Bell Robertson and Bailey Robertson, Sr. During World War II, Robertson and his family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he played on the basketball team at Crispus Attucks High School. He led the Bearcats to two Final Fours and a 79-9 record during his three varsity seasons. Oscar Robertson was the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season. The Robertson v. National Basketball Assn case delayed the merger of the ABA and NBA. He is Sports Persons (Basketball Player) by profession. Remembering the Life of the Late Basketball Star, Ron Howard Feels 'Lucky' to Have Met Future Wife at School & Says 'There Was Never Anybody Else' for 51 Years, Hugh Jackman Met 13-Year Older Wife When She Definitely Avoided Men Under 30 - They Are Married for 25 Years, Who Is Bronny James Dating? Ahead of the 1971 season, Robertson was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Exhibition Label. He Was Once Trolled for Being with His Alleged Girlfriend. Oscar Palmer Robertson (born Nov 24, 1938) is a retired professional basketball player from the United States, who played in the NBA between 1960 and 1974. In 1995, Robertson was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. NBA family congratulates Westbrook for all-time feat. Oscar Robertson Height, Weight & Measurements At 84 years old, Oscar Robertson height is 6' 4" (1.95 m) . His achievement has been built on a foundation of hard effort. Unlike many other boys who preferred baseball, the NBA star was drawn to basketball, which he saw as "a poor kids' game." During his 14-year NBA career with the Cincinnati Royals and the Milwaukee Bucks, Robertson became the top-scoring guard of all time, amassing 26,710 points, which ranks 15th in NBA history. [2], On the hardwood, the veteran Robertson still proved he was a valuable player. He remained the only player to do so for more than 50 years until Russell Westbrook matched his feat in 2016-17. The team, described as the greatest assemblage of basketball talent ever at that point, steamrolled the competition to win the gold medal. Here are the top 10 interesting facts about Oscar Robertson. [1] Robertson also set a then-NBA record for the most triple-doubles during the regular season with 41 triple-doubles; the record would stand for over half a century until 201617, when Russell Westbrook recorded 42 and joined Robertson as the only other player to average a triple-double for an entire season. Basketball watchers marveled at his hardworking style of play. [23] No reasons were officially given, but many pundits suspected head coach Bob Cousy was jealous of all the attention Robertson was getting. Oscar Robertson, nicknamed the "Big O," is a retired professional basketball player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. $8.00. On June 9, 2007, Oscar received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Cincinnati for both his philanthropic and entrepreneurial efforts. [30] In July 2004, Robertson was named interim head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team for approximately a month while head coach Bob Huggins served a suspension stemming from a drunk-driving conviction. Oscar Robertson, the Big O, is the player against whom all others labeled versatile are judged, and he may remain the standard forever. [42] In October 2021, Robertson was honored as one of theleague's greatest players of all time by being named to theNBA 75th Anniversary Team. The 1964/65 season was the beginning of a downward path for the Cincinnati Royals, as their performance saw them defeated in the playoffs in the 1965 to 1967 seasons. [32], In 2015, Robertson was among a group of investors that placed a marijuana legalization initiative on the Ohio ballot. He lists woodworking as his prime hobby. eBay item number: 304916908741. Buying a regulation basketball was beyond the family's. In August 2018, Robertson auctioned off his 1971 championship ring, Hall of Fame ring, and one of his Milwaukee Bucks game jerseys. In 1960, Oscar Robertson got married to his wife, Yvonne Crittenden. In 2003, his autobiography The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game was published. Since that point, he has been an outspoken advocate for health and wellness, kidney disease prevention and organ transplantation on behalf of the National Kidney Foundation. The first call, however, and one of the most meaningful came from one of the greatest players ever to pick up a basketball, Oscar Robertson. Oscar Robertson made a tremendous impact on the NBA both as a player and in his off-the-court actions. . Despite the peril, he and his family faced, Oscar Robertson was attracted to sports. Oscar Robertson, a three-time All-Star MVP and NBA MVP in 1963-64, led the Bucks to the title in 1971. . He also has two siblings and both are his brothers. Robertson also owns the chemical company Orchem, based in Cincinnati, Ohio.[45]. [1] Only three other players in the NBA have had more 30+-point-per-game seasons in their career. In 2003, he published his own autobiography, The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game. In 1963-64, Robertson cemented his status as one of the leagues dominant players. As a result of his accomplishment and performance in his senior year he was named the 1956 Mr. Basketball. From 1968 to 1970, they didnt even make it the playoffs, despite the return of Bob Cousy, who was the head coach then, to the court. [39] He has been an honorary spokesman for the National Kidney Foundation ever since. After his successful high school career, he went on to play for the University of Cincinnati. Oscar Robertson Biography Quick Facts, Age. Founding Editor (1994-2013) and Senior Writer (2014-2022) for the ACC Sports Journal, a popular magazine that has covered Atlantic Coast Conference sports for more than 35 years, and its partner . [Oscar Robertson:] Well, we have, I have two older brothers, Bailey and Henry; a loving father, of . Oscar P Robertson in MyHeritage family trees (Tracy Family Site) Oscar Robertson in Biographical Summaries of Notable People view all Immediate Family Private spouse Private child Private child Bailey Robertson father Private parent Private sibling Private sibling About Oscar Robertson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Robertson There, Robertson had the chance to end his stellar career with a second ring. Give him two feet and you know what he wants? [25] Six years after the suit was filed, the NBA finally reached a settlement, the ABANBA merger took place, and the Oscar Robertson suit encouraged signing of more free agents and eventually led to higher salaries for all players. "ESPN Sports Century", 30-minute program on Oscar Robertson as one of the 20th Century's fifty greatest athletes, first aired 1999. Oscar Robertson's high school team in Indianapolis was the first all-black basketball team in the nation to win a state title. Robertson attended Crispus Attucks High School, an all-Black school that had no gym and one that white schools refused to play until Robertson arrived. [12] In 2022, the NBA renamed its Western Conference championship trophy after Robertson. He broke the assists record by Bob Cousy, who had recorded 715 assists two seasons earlier, by logging 899, and joined Johnny Green and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history with the height of 6'5 or smaller to have grabbed 900+ rebounds in a season. Check ESPN listings for rebroadcast information. In 1970, retired merchant navy officer Dougal Robertson was running a dairy farm at Meerbrook, near Leek, with his wife Lyn, 18-year-old son Douglas, daughter Anne, 17, and twin sons Neil and . Oscar Robertson averaged 30 points or more in six seasons and was considered the first big guard, averaging 7.5 rebounds for his career. [47] On July 20, 2021, on the eve of the Bucks winning their second championship and first since his tenure, Robertson wrote a piece in The Players' Tribune voicing his support for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.[48]. Throughout the decade Robertson averaged at least 25 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. In those days, Southern university programs such as Kentucky, Duke, and North Carolina did not recruit black athletes, and road trips to segregated cities were especially difficult, with Robertson often sleeping in college dorms instead of hotels. [2] In addition, he worked as a color commentator with Brent Musburger on games televised by CBS during the 197475 NBA season. During the wedding ceremony, which occurred at the Carmel Presbyterian Church in front of family and friends, Oscar wore a black morning coat while Yvonne looked as beautiful as always. Corrections? His family was unable to afford a basketball, so he practiced using tennis balls, rags bound with. 1961-62 Cincinnati Royals Roster and Stats Previous Season Next Season Record: 43-37, Finished 2nd in NBA Western Division Coach: Charles Wolf (43-37) PTS/G: 123.1 (2nd of 9) Opp PTS/G: 121.3 (7th of 9) SRS: 1.28 (5th of 9) Pace: 124.9 (5th of 9) Off Rtg: 98.3 (1st of 9) Def Rtg: 96.9 (8th of 9) Net Rtg: +1.4 (5th of 9) Few players in basketball history have rivaled the talent and versatility of the NBA All-Star known to fans as "The Big O." Averaging upwards of twenty-five points per game during fourteen stellar seasons with the Cincinnati Royals (1960-70) and the Milwaukee Bucks (1970-74), Oscar Robertson . The sharpshooting Robertson also finished fourth in field goal percentage (47.8), and his average of 12.5 rebounds per game was a career high. He averaged 24.0 points and was named Indianas Mr. In 1994, a nine-foot bronze statue of Robertson was erected outside the Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center, the current home of Cincinnati Bearcats basketball. For seven games, the former Celtics point guard partnered with Robertson in the Royals' backcourt, but they missed the playoffs. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The Royals gave Robertson a $33,000 signing bonus. 24 November 1938 in Charlotte, Tennessee), one of the greatest basketball players of all time, the highest-scoring guard in National Basketball Association (NBA) history, and the only player ever to achieve "triple-double" averages for an entire season.Robertson was the youngest of three sons born to Henry Bailey Robertson and Mazell Bell Robertson. [2] Robertson took Cincinnati to national prominence during his time there, but the university's greatest success in basketball took place immediately after his departure, when the team won national titles in 1961 and 1962, missing a third consecutive title in 1963 by just two points. The couple later got married on a perfect June day in 1960 right after Oscar's graduation. In his second season in the NBA, he emerged as the first player in the league to average a triple-double throughout the season. It was also the first state championship won by an Indianapolis team in the Hoosier tournament. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. That Robertson stood out as equal to and, in the eyes of many, even better than these players was testimony to his greatness. Golden State's star sharpshooter enjoys another historic moment, which also set his playoff career high. This is just one of these examples. Bryant's father moved his family to Indianapolis from Calhoun, South Carolina, when Hallie was 8. He thus retired from basketball. Robertson was the first selection of the 1960 NBA draft and earned Rookie of the Year honours that season with the Cincinnati Royals. In 1997, Robertson performed the assist of a lifetime when he donated a kidney to his daughter Tia, who was suffering from lupus. Robertson went to the Cincinnati Royals as a territorial pick. [43], Robertson is the son of Mazell and Bailey Robertson. Regarding basketball, Robertson has stated that legendary Harlem Globetrotters players Marques Haynes and "clown prince" Goose Tatum were his idols. [28], After his retirement, the Kansas City Kings (the Royals moved there while Robertson was with the Bucks) retired his No. This article was created by a combination of a few writers and editors from Sporty Tell. Carving his name into NBA history. Oscar Robertson, in full Oscar Palmer Robertson, byname the Big O, (born November 24, 1938, Charlotte, Tennessee, U.S.), American basketball player who starred in both the collegiate and professional ranks and was considered one of the top players in the history of the game. Oscar Robertson. [2] Robertson also won his second All-Star Game MVP award that year after scoring 26 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and dishing off 8 assists in an East victory. He was drawn to basketball instead of baseball, which was more popular in the neighborhood, because it was a poor kids game. He learned how to shoot by tossing tennis balls and rags bound with rubber bands into a peach basket behind his familys home. "Big O" got to play with an all-star team of players, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He wasn't angry about his. Who Is Oscar Robertson's Wife? Just how good was he? Robertson exploded onto the NBA scene, finishing third in the league in scoring (30.5 ppg) and winning Rookie of the Year honors for 1960-61. That year was a historic year for basketball and Robertson who was the NBA Player Association president. First call Dandridge got after HOF news was from the 'Big O'. In the same game during which he set the overall triple-double record, Westbrook also joined LeBron James, Oscar Robertson and Gary Payton as the only players in . I'll be honest, it really makes me reflect. He has two brothers, Bailey Jr. and Henry. After he retired from the NBA, the 11-time member of the All-NBA Team was inducted to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His rookie scoring average of 30.5 points per game is the third-highest of any rookie in NBA history, and Robertson averaged more than 30 points per game in six of his first seven seasons. Grace, Kevin; Hand, Greg; Hathaway, Tom; Hoffman, Carey (1998). In 1972 and 1973, he helped his team win the division titles, and in 1974, he helped them to reach the NBA Finals. He remembers a tough childhood, plagued by poverty and racism. [31], After many years out of the spotlight, Robertson was recognized on November 17, 2006, for his impact on college basketball when he was chosen to be a member of the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Yvonne Crittenden is married to Oscar Robertson, a retired professional basketball player. After their championship game wins, the team was paraded through town in a regular tradition, but they were then taken to a park outside downtown to continue their celebration, unlike other teams. He also received All-American honours. Oscar became involved in philanthropic and social work, especially concerning improving living conditions for African Americans. [2] As a testament to Robertson's importance to the Bucks, in the season following his retirement the Bucks fell to last place in their division with a 3844 record in spite of the continued presence of Abdul-Jabbar.[26]. Robertson was born into poverty in Charlotte, Tennessee. Elg off the board. No one, however, may match Robertsons overall greatness. His family was of modest means, and he lived on a housing project in Indianapolis. In his first NBA finals game, Robertson recorded 22 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the Bucks. and "Oh, Brent, did you see that!" Theories attempting to explain the trade abounded. The all-Black school had brought home Indianapoliss first state championship. [25] In his eighties, he still follows basketball on TV and attends most home games for the University of Cincinnati, his alma mater. Robertson was born into poverty in Charlotte, Tennessee. But his father, Bailey, lacked money to acquire farm machinery, so he moved his wife, Mazell, and three children, Bailey Jr., Henry and Oscar, to Naptown, Indiana. Oscar found Yvonne to be gorgeous and a talented pianist. He was raised in a segregated housing project in Indianapolis, Indiana after his parents relocated there when he was 18 months old. When he was approximately 18 months old, his parents moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he grew up in a segregated housing project. He managed to play three more seasons, however, helping the Bucks to division titles in each of those years. After being stuck with an under-performing team the last six years, he now was paired with the young Lew Alcindor, who would years later become the all-time NBA scoring leader as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. There is no more complete player than Oscar.. [15] On November 15, 1960, Robertson recorded a then-career-high of 44 points to go along with 15 rebounds and 11 assists in a 124115 win over the Philadelphia Warriors. And for me, especially, because it took over 10 years in the league to get to that moment. Oscar was born in an impoverished family in Charlotte, Tennessee. He is American by nationality. He was one of five people, along with John Wooden, Bill Russell, Dean Smith, and James Naismith, selected to represent the inaugural class. A. If his first five NBA seasons are strung together, Robertson averaged a triple-double over those, averaging 30.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 10.6 assists. He was nothing short of incredible as a collegian, scoring 33.8 points per game with a one-handed style that made his shots virtually unblockable. In addition to his 1964 regular-season MVP award, Robertson won three All-Star Game MVPs in his career (in 1961, 1964, and 1969). Well, Oscar Robertson's age is 84 years old as of today's date 1st April 2023 having been born on 24 November 1938. The team, however, remained in the Western Division cellar. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. His personal best may have been his line of 45 points, 23 rebounds, and 10 assists against Indiana State in 1959. [41] In 2017, it was announced that a life-sized bronze sculpture of Robertson would be featured alongside other Indiana sports stars at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis' Old National Bank Sports Legends Avenue of Champions, located in the museum's sports park opening in 2018. He was the leading scorer of the team,[13] as the U.S. team won its nine games by a margin of 42.4 points. Have you ever wondered how rich Oscar Robertson is, as of He preferred to play basketball over baseball, which was more popular in the neighborhood because it was "a poor kids' game". He set 14 NCAA records during his college days. [2] In the 197071 NBA season, he was a key player on the team that brought the Bucks their first NBA title. #OscarRobertson #NBA #GOAT-Music:1) Audiomachine - Ashes of Time2) Machinimasound - Battle of the Titans The team went 31-1 in 1955 and 31-0 in 1956 (including a state-record 45 straight victories) and took state titles both years. Associated With He played alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - then named Lew Alcindor - on the 1971 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. [3] He was again voted as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. At the Bucks, he formed a very formidable partnership with Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. With Alcindor in the low post and Robertson running the backcourt, the Bucks charged to a league-best 6616 record, including a then-record 20-game win streak, a dominating 122 record in the 1971 NBA playoffs, and crowned their season with the NBA title by sweeping the Baltimore Bullets 40 in the 1971 NBA Finals. Under new coach Jack McMahon, Robertson flourished. His best year there was the championship season, when he averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds per . He is the son of Bailey Robertson (father) and Mazell Robertson (mother). In 86 playoff games Robertson averaged 22.2 points, 8.9 assists and 6.7 rebounds. Oscar Robertson 2022 Prizm Draft Picks Hyper Basketball Card. Paired with Abdul-Jabbar, two more division titles with the Bucks followed in the 197172 and 197273 season. Robertson retired from the NBA in 1974 with 26,710 career points (25.7 per game), 7,804 rebounds (7.5 average), and 9,887 assists (an NBA record at the time). Robertson also averaged 7.5 rebounds for his career and led his team in rebounding once, a rare feat for a guard. Widely considered one of the NBA's most dominant players, Oscar Robertson led the Bucks to a title in 1971.
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