Robertson finished first in the league in both assists (11.0 apg) and free throw percentage (85.3) and ranked second in scoring (31.4 ppg). [37] For his career, Robertson had 181 triple-doubles, a record that had never been approached for decades until by Westbrook in the 2020-21 season. Oscar Palmer Robertson (born November 24, 1938), nicknamed "the Big O", is an American former professional basketball player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Childhood And Early Life American basketball great Oscar Robertson was born on the 24 November 1938 in Charlotte, Tennessee. He made use of tennis balls and rags tied with rubber bands as his basketball and a peach basketball as a hoop. Among his 14 NCAA records was a career scoring mark that stood until Pete Maravich bested it in 1970. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979 and named to the NBAs 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996-97. His wife is Yvonne Crittenden (25 June 1960 - present) ( 3 children) Oscar Robertson Net Worth On October 30, 1980, Robertson was named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team. $69.99. Oscar Robertson's high school team in Indianapolis was the first all-black basketball team in the nation to win a state title. [2] He was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2009. Robert auctioned one of the jerseys he wore while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, his Hall of Fame ring and a Championship ring. Just how good was he? Oscar Robertson, Jr., 59, a native and resident of St. Francisville, LA, passed away Monday, April 13, 2015 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. In 1998, in honour of the records and accomplishments in the NCAA, the NCAA Division I Player of the Year was named the Oscar Robertson Trophy. Oscar Robertson: College basketball stats, best moments, quotes The Royals progressed to the Eastern Conference finals but were defeated by the Boston Celtics. His playing career was active from 1960 until 1974. Robertson was traded in 1970 to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he teamed with Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and won the NBA title that season. The Bucks cruised past the Bullets and their strong frontcourt of Wes Unseld and Gus Johnson in four games, the first Finals sweep in 12 years. At Crispus Attucks, Robertsons natural physical abilities and instincts were polished by coach Ray Crowe, who was obsessed with teaching the basics of the game. He was born under the zodiac sign of Sagittarius and he was born in Tennessee in the United States of America and he is 6 feet and 5 inches tall. He has just a few children, all of whom bear his family. In 2004, an 18" bronze statue of Robertson was sculpted by world-renowned sculptor Harry Weber. Ahead of the 1971 season, Robertson was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. [6][7] In October 2021, Robertson was honored as one of theleagues greatest players of all-time by being named to theNBA 75th Anniversary Team.[8]. $8.00. [2] Robertson himself stated that the main reason was that clubs basically owned their players: players were forbidden to talk to other clubs once their contract was up, because free agency did not exist until 1988. 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. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Bryant's father moved his family to Indianapolis from Calhoun, South Carolina, when Hallie was 8. The team, described as the greatest assemblage of basketball talent ever at that point, steamrolled the competition to win the gold medal. Oscar Robertson. Oscar Robertson | Biography & Statistics | Britannica The team, however, remained in the Western Division cellar. When he was 18 months old, the family moved to Indianapolis, where he spent all his childhood in a segregated housing project. Each item sold between $50,000 and $91,000. In addition to his 1964 regular-season MVP award, Robertson won three All-Star Game MVPs in his career (in 1961, 1964, and 1969). Robertson was the son of Mazell Bell Robertson and Bailey Robertson, Sr. 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. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! [1] He led the league in assists six time; at the time of his retirement, he was the NBA's all-time leader in career assists and free throws made, and was the second all-time leading scorer behind Wilt Chamberlain. He is the son of Bailey Robertson (father) and Mazell Robertson (mother). 1st in the country in scoring average . 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. Also in 1970, Robertson became part of one of the most important court cases in NBA history. Oscar Robertson's Lawsuit Against the NBA Changed the Way Players Get Paid [43], Robertson is the son of Mazell and Bailey Robertson. Also in 1980, Robertson was named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team. The all-Black school had brought home Indianapoliss first state championship. When he was approximately 18 months old, his parents moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he grew up in a segregated housing project. [1] In addition, he was named the 1961 NBA All-Star Game MVP following his 23-point, 14-assist, 9-rebound performance in a West victory; however, the Royals finished with a 3346 record and stayed in the cellar of the Western Division. It's not rare for our writers and team members to collaborate and work together to create the articles you read on the site. 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. He has two brothers, Bailey Jr. and Henry. The family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, when Robertson was only 18 months old. A host of former NBA players - current and former - including Oscar Robertson himself, congratulated Russell Westbrook on passing the all-time . Donald Oscar Robertson was born c. 1924, and died at age 21 years old on January 1, 1946. 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. $6.00. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Robertson also ended Cousys eight-year string of regular-season assists titles by leading the league with 9.7 per game. In August 2018, Robertson auctioned off his 1971 championship ring, Hall of Fame ring, and one of his Milwaukee Bucks game jerseys. Oscar Robertson is known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.A standout at the University of Cincinnati, he went on to become a star National Basketball Association (NBA) player for the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) and the Milwaukee Bucks, and a co-captain of an Olympic team considered by some to be the . Check out some rarely seen Oscar Robertson highlights with the Royals! Oscar found Yvonne to be gorgeous and a talented pianist. This honor brought the award full circle for Robertson, as he had won the first two awards ever presented. At age 31 and still searching for a championship, Robertson joined second-year center Abdul-Jabbar (then called Lew Alcindor) in the Bucks lineup. The name of his father is Bailey Robertson and Oscar's mother's name is known to be Mazell Robertson. David Glenn - Adjunct Professor, Department of Communication He averaged 24.0 points and was named Indianas Mr. [1] The averages for his first five NBA seasons are a triple-double: 30.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 10.6 assists per game. Breaking down the Golden State-Los Angeles matchup with 3 things to watch, 1 X-factor and a series prediction. Thats right, man, a layup. Red Auerbach joked that after telling his players to stretch out their fingers extra wide while defending Robertson, Oscar shot the ball through their fingers!. Oscar Robertson - Wikipedia In his debut season, he had an amazing performance which earned him the Rookie of the Year award and the 1961 All-star game MVP. The partnership worked out really well as in his first season with the Bucks, Robertson and Alcindor led the Bucks to the 1971 NBA Finals where they defeated the Baltimore Bullets to claim the Championship. He was able to use his size to gain position for scoring and rebounding. With Jimmy Butler hobbled late by an ankle injury, Miami gets big performances from Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love to take the series opener in New York. In addition, teams were no longer required to provide compensation when signing a free-agent player. [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]. He learned how to shoot by using tennis balls and rags wrapped with rubber bands and tossing them into a peach basket in the back of his family's home. Success did not follow the Royals to the playoffs, however, as they were dumped in the first round by the Detroit Pistons. 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 He preferred to play basketball over baseball, which was more popular in the neighborhood because it was "a poor kids' game". 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. Kevon Looney's historically elite rebounding provided separation in a winner-take-all Game 7. Oscar was born September 14, 1955 in St. Francisville to the late Oscar Robertson, Sr. and Louise Crump Robertson. 1 he wore in Milwaukee. [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. Prior to Russel Westbrook 2016/17 triple-double basketball season, he said he was sceptical anyone could do it. It was a feat that would not be repeated until Russell Westbrook managed to achieve it during the 201617 season. Oscar Robertson biography, married, wife, stats, injury, salary Check ESPN listings for rebroadcast information. [5] In January 2011, Robertson joined a class action lawsuit against the NCAA, O'Bannon v. NCAA, challenging the organization's use of the images of its former student athletes. To draw fans and generate some excitement, the 41-year-old Cousy even put on a uniform and played seven games in the backcourt with Robertson. [36], Robertson is regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, a triple threat who could score inside, outside and also was a stellar playmaker. 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. Oscar Robertson real name is Oscar Palmer Robertson. He also received All-American honours. He won the All-Star and regular-season MVP Awards and led the Royals to a 55-25 record, good enough for second place in the Eastern Division. The fine results from Brooks failure to participate in team postgame media availability during the first round. His team won the NBA title in his first season there and dominated the entire season. [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. Magic was only one year old when Robertson made his NBA debut. [2] In his NBA debut, Robertson recorded 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 140123 win over the visiting Lakers. 14. in Netherlands. about - Oscar Robertson 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. 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. TOP 25 QUOTES BY OSCAR ROBERTSON | A-Z Quotes The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game - Oscar Robertson - Google Books 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. A Letter to My Bucks Family by Oscar Robertson - The Players' Tribune Oscar Robertson. > Archive 75: Oscar Robertson| 75 Stories: Oscar Robertson. [2], Prior to the 197071 season, the Royals stunned the basketball world by trading Robertson to the Bucks for Flynn Robinson and Charlie Paulk. [1], Standing 6ft 5in (1.96m), Robertson is recognized by the NBA as the first legitimate "big guard", paving the way for other oversized backcourt players like Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson. Aromando, Damian; Robertson, Oscar (2000). in reaction to flashy or spectacular situations such as fast breaks, slam dunks, player collisions, etc. Robertson donated one of his kidneys to his daughter, Tia, in 1997, as a result of kidney failure related to lupus. The Big O made his first of 12 consecutive trips to the All-Star Game, winning the MVP award after scoring 23 points and setting a record with 14 assists, one better than Bob Cousys previous mark. Former Cavaliers general manager Wayne Embry is 76 -- one year older than Oscar Robertson, his former roommate, who turns 75 today, "Pound for pound, inch for inch, I think Oscar was the greatest . (The system allowed a team to claim a local college player in exchange for giving up its first-round pick.) In 1961-62, the season he averaged a triple-double, Robertson led the Royals to the first of six straight trips to the playoffs. Any greatest of all time discussion in the NBA must include Oscar Robertson [11], Robertson had many outstanding individual game performances, including 10 triple-doubles. [2] In the 197071 NBA season, he was a key player on the team that brought the Bucks their first NBA title. We encourage you to research and examine these records . 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. The trade proved highly beneficial for Robertson. He is a member of famous Producer with the age 84 years old group. Cincinnati, however, had never had a Black player before. I called my wife. [3] In 1996, Robertson was honored as one of the leagues greatest players of all-time by being named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team. Basketball watchers marveled at his hardworking style of play. At the University of Cincinnati Robertson recorded amazing performance. Oscar Robertson 2018-19 Panini Prizm #125 vs Jerry West Choice Blue Green Yellow. The Bucks also retired the No. [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. This is just one of these examples. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. I played on an all-black high school team and we didn't want people saying that we were clowns. He remained the only player to do so for more than 50 years until Russell Westbrook matched his feat in 2016-17. Oscar Robertson Net Worth 2023: Wiki, Married, Family, Wedding, Salary He led his team to claim the state championship twice, first in his junior year and second in his senior year where they recorded 45 successive victories. [34] Robertson appeared in a television advertisement advocating for passage of the initiative,[35] but it was ultimately defeated. Heaviest Sumo Wrestler List, 25 Best 80s Tennis Players. Robertson also owns the chemical company Orchem, based in Cincinnati, Ohio.[45]. Compared to Robertsons postseason struggles in Cincinnati, the Bucks relatively easy road through the 1971 playoffs was an unusual experience. He is American by nationality. [2] Robertson himself said: "I think he was wrong and I will never forget it. Give him six, he wants four. 1938, in Charlotte, Tenn., he moved with his family to the "Dust Bowl" slum of . He also returned to the booth for the 198889 season calling games on TBS with Hot Rod Hundley. [2], From a historical perspective, Robertson's most important contribution was made not on a basketball court but in a court of law. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979. From his sophomore year down to his senior year he claimed the College Player of the Year award and topped the scoring chart. 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? Oscar Robertson, nicknamed the "Big O," is a retired professional basketball player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks. In 86 playoff games Robertson averaged 22.2 points, 8.9 assists and 6.7 rebounds. In 1956, the team finished with a 310 record and won a second straight IHSAA Men's Basketball Championship, becoming the first team in Indiana to secure a perfect season and compiling a state-record 45 straight victories. "[2], The relationship between Oscar and the Royals had soured to the point that Cincinnati had also approached the Lakers and Knicks about deals involving their star player; the Knicks players who were discussed in those scenarios are unknown, but Los Angeles stated publicly that the Royals asked about Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, with the Lakers saying they would not consider trading either star. [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]. Robertsons on-court brilliance, and the off-court racism to which he was subjected, continued at the University of Cincinnati. Three times he won the national scoring title, was an All-American, and was named College Player of the Year. . They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Simply put, no player in hoops history achieved as much individual and team success as did Abdul-Jabbar. Robertson was a starting forward along with Purdue's Terry Dischinger, but played point guard as well. Although basketball has changed drastically in the 60 years since Robertson first took the court, he and James have . In this suit, the proposed merger between the NBA and American Basketball Association was delayed until 1976, and the college draft, as well as the free agency clauses, were reformed. The name Oscar Robertson has become a household name over the years. Paired with Abdul-Jabbar, two more division titles with the Bucks followed in the 197172 and 197273 season. Donald Robertson was buried at Holten Canadian War Cemetery Vii. As the NBA celebrates it's 75th Anniversary Season, get to know dozens of star players who helped make the NBA what it is today. [4] Robertson attends many of the games there, viewing the Bearcats from a chair at courtside. In 1960, Oscar Robertson got married to his wife, Yvonne Crittenden. ", Oscar Robertson and wife Yvonne Crittenden at Tony La Russa's 2nd annual Leaders & Legends gala for Animal Rescue Foundation on November 22, 2013 | Photo: Getty Images. Years later, he told The Indianapolis Star: "I'll never forgive them. He ended his career with 26,710 points (25.7 per game, ninth-highest all time), 9,887 assists (9.5 per game), and 7,804 rebounds (7.5 per game). 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. 3 Copy quote. Born in 1938, Robertson grew up in poverty, first in rural Tennessee and then in a segregated housing project in Indianapolis, Indiana. [2], Robertson also set yardsticks in versatility. As a result of his accomplishment and performance in his senior year he was named the 1956 Mr. Basketball. Here are the top 10 interesting facts about Oscar Robertson. Whatever his reasons were, Robertson later said, I think he was wrong and Ill never forget it. Fans up and down the Ohio River mourned. [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. After his successful high school career, he went on to play for the University of Cincinnati. Born in 1938, Robertson grew up dirt-poor in a segregated housing project in Indianapolis. Biography facts, career and personal life of famous basketball players. Regarding basketball, Robertson has stated that legendary Harlem Globetrotters players Marques Haynes and "clown prince" Goose Tatum were his idols. He was thus given a $33,000 signing bonus. Robertson went to the Cincinnati Royals as a territorial pick. Dandridge and Robertson were teammates on the Milwaukee . Robertson, Oscar Palmer | Encyclopedia.com 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 . 9 Copy quote. Long after his exit from the basketball scene, Robertson still serves as an inspiration for young budding basketball players. Oscar Robertson | Encyclopedia.com [2], Robertson averaged a triple-double over his first five seasons in the NBA with the Royals, recording averages of 30.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 10.6 assists per game in 451 contest. As a sophomore Robertson scored 56 points in a tournament game at Madison Square Garden, and he scored 62 points in another contest. He managed to play three more seasons, however, helping the Bucks to division titles in each of those years. His achievement has been built on a foundation of hard effort. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. [39] In 1997, Robertson donated one of his kidneys to his daughter Tia, who suffered lupus-related kidney failure. [4], Robertson continued to excel while playing for the Cincinnati Bearcats, recording a scoring average of 33.8 points per game, the third-highest in college history. For seven games, the former Celtics point guard partnered with Robertson in the Royals' backcourt, but they missed the playoffs. First call Bob Dandridge got after Hall-of-Fame news was from Oscar We lived in a shotgun-type house, it was very cold; a little pot-bellied stove in the wintertime. Oscar Robertson McFarlane Hardwood Classic Legends Milwaukee Bucks 2006 According to The History Makers, before the age of two, Robertson's parents, Mazell Bell Robertson and Bailey Robertson, Sr., packed up their family and moved from the south to Indianapolis, Indiana.The Robertson family moved into a segregated housing project once they reached Indianapolis. As a player with the Cincinnati (Ohio) Royals of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 196162, he averaged double figures in points (30.8), rebounds (12.5), and assists (11.4) per game, a feat unmatched by any other player until Russell Westbrook did so in 201617. Oscar Robertson Cards and Autographed Memorabilia Guide and "Oh, Brent, did you see that!" Debbie and Family, When I think of Oscar my mind goes . 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). Henry Aaron Roberto Clemente Rube Foster Cito Gaston Josh Gibson Frank Robinson Willie Mays Satchel Paige Jackie Robinson Basketball Greats A lot of people are familiar with the old Negro Baseball Leagues, but less have heard about the African American basketball teams known as "the Black Fives", named after the starting five players. After he retired as an active player, Robertson stayed involved in efforts to improve living conditions in his native Indianapolis, especially concerning fellow African-Americans. The first player to average a triple-double for an entire season, Oscar Robertson was a versatile player who led the Bucks to the 1971 title. Oscar Robertson 2022 Prizm Draft Picks Hyper Basketball Card. The Robertson v. National Basketball Assn case delayed the merger of the ABA and NBA. [23] No reasons were officially given, but many pundits suspected head coach Bob Cousy was jealous of all the attention Robertson was getting. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Donald Oscar Robertson. Oscar Robertson Birthday, Real Name, Age, Weight, Height, Family, Facts Oscar Robertson Biography, Life, Interesting Facts Robertson was also an integral part of Robertson v. National Basketball Ass'n of 1970. "[2] Decades after his college days, Robertson's stellar NCAA career was rewarded by the United States Basketball Writers Association when they renamed the trophy awarded to the NCAA Division I Player of the Year the Oscar Robertson Trophy in 1998. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. There were some big names like Eric Holder, former U.S. Attorney General, and Hall-of-Famer Rick Barry, whom Dandridge . [37] In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Robertson as the 12th greatest player in NBA history. 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. Oscar Robertson | Cincinnati Royals | NBA.com [18] The Royals earned a berth to the 1962 NBA playoffs; however, they were eliminated in the first round by the Detroit Pistons. Robertson, too poor to own a basketball as a child, signed for $33,000 per year. Robertson stated: "[Officials] thought the blacks were going to tear the town up, and they thought the whites wouldn't like it. 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.