Oscar Robertson, a three-time All-Star MVP and NBA MVP in 1963-64, led the Bucks to the title in 1971. . To help attract the public, 41-year-old head coach Bob Cousy made a short comeback as a player. 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. [28], After his retirement, the Kansas City Kings (the Royals moved there while Robertson was with the Bucks) retired his No. [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. Robertson was born in Charlotte, Tennessee, Robertson captained the U.S. basketball team, Oscar was named to the 35th NBA anniversary, Caitlyn Jenner Feels That 'Old Bruce' Still 'Lives Inside Her - Kids Call Her Dad Even After Transition, Gary Sinise Once Called a Disabled Vet & Father of 2 Struggling With Easy Tasks - He Got a Smart Home Later, No Friends Show Up for a Boy's 6th Birthday, Strangers Later Organize a Remarkable Day for Him, Steve Wilkos from 'The Steve Wilkos Show' Is a Loving Husband and Father Meet His Family, King of Sweden Broke Royal Tradition & Married a 'Commoner' Future Queen Had to Wear Disguise in Public. Robertson donated one of his kidneys to his daughter, Tia, in 1997, as a result of kidney failure related to lupus. 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. [14], Prior to the 196061 NBA season, Robertson made himself eligible for the 1960 NBA draft. He remembers a tough childhood, plagued by poverty and racism. Oscar Robertson: The NBA's Forgotten Trailblazer In 1960 he won a gold medal in Rome as a member of the U.S. Olympic team. 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. 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. Inside Oscar 'Big O' Robertson's Marriage to Yvonne Crittenden and His college career was marred by racism. [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. [27] His trademark expressions were, "Oh, my!" Like Oscar Robertson and other Indianapolis basketball greats, he cut his teeth at the court at . "To me, the top two are (Elgin) Baylor and Robertson. Oscar Robertson's Lawsuit Against the NBA Changed the Way Players Get Paid Oscar Robertson: Why He's the Best Ever, 1968 The couple has three children. NBA family congratulates Westbrook for all-time feat. The numbers behind Russell Westbrook's triple-double records He also returned to the booth for the 198889 season calling games on TBS with Hot Rod Hundley. Indianapolis' greatest athletes: Homegrown stars from the first 200 years 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. It would only take until Robertsons second year for him to achieve true stardom. The two seasons after his first NBA win, he led the Bucks to claim division titles. 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] 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Born Charlotte, Tennessee. 14. in Netherlands. Rather than engaging in baseball which several kids of his time did, he had to settle with basketball which was believed to be a poor kid game. [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. [4] The United States Basketball Writers Association renamed their College Player of the Year Award the Oscar Robertson Trophy in his honor in 1998, and he was one of five people chosen to represent the inaugural National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame class in 2006. His team won the NBA title in his first season there and dominated the entire season. [39] In 1997, Robertson donated one of his kidneys to his daughter Tia, who suffered lupus-related kidney failure. Oscar Robertson biography, married, wife, stats, injury, salary ROBERTSON, Oscar Palmer (b. But city leaders were uneasy about how the teams celebration might take shape. [2] After his graduation that year, Robertson enrolled at the University of Cincinnati. [1] The Royals advanced to the Eastern Division Finals, but succumbed in a seven-game series against a Boston Celtics team led by Bill Russell. 1. 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. 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 . [9] The landmark NBA antitrust suit, which was filed when Robertson was the president of the NBA Players' Association, led to an extensive reform of the league's strict free agency and draft rules and, subsequently, to higher salaries for all players. This encouraged the signing of more free agents and eventually led to higher salaries for all players. Regarding basketball, Robertson has stated that legendary Harlem Globetrotters players Marques Haynes and "clown prince" Goose Tatum were his idols. Unlike many other boys who preferred baseball, the NBA star was drawn to basketball, which he saw as "a poor kids' game." Oscar Robertson Listed His 5 Favorite NBA Players of All Time, and In 1995, Robertson was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. [25] In his eighties, he still follows basketball on TV and attends most home games for the University of Cincinnati, his alma mater. Prior to the amendment, free agency was non-existent and basketball franchises owned players which forbade them from discussing with another franchise as long as they had a contract with the franchise. Success did not follow the Royals to the playoffs, however, as they were dumped in the first round by the Detroit Pistons. His wife is Yvonne Crittenden (25 June 1960 - present) ( 3 children) Oscar Robertson Net Worth Robertson was born into poverty in Charlotte, Tennessee. "[10], In his senior season, Robertson scored 24.0 points per game and was named Indiana Mr. Basketball in 1956. Oscar Robertson and LeBron James share a surprising number of similarities. 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. This is just one of these examples. With a championship ring now adorning one of Robertsons famous fingers, people around the league started asking the question: Is the Big O the best ever? Although obviously not a question that could be answered objectively, a strong case was being made by sports writers and basketball experts all over the country. In 1961-62, the season he averaged a triple-double, Robertson led the Royals to the first of six straight trips to the playoffs. [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. But drafted players won the right to snub their prospective employers for a year and reenter the draft. Six years after the suit was filed, the NBA finally reached a settlement, the leagues merged and the draft remained intact. 1938, in Charlotte, Tenn., he moved with his family to the "Dust Bowl" slum of . 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Oscar Robertson Net Worth 2023: Wiki, Married, Family, Wedding, Salary [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. That Robertson stood out as equal to and, in the eyes of many, even better than these players was testimony to his greatness. 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). Oscar Robertson | Basketball Wiki | Fandom Check out some rarely seen Oscar Robertson highlights with the Royals! eBay item number: 304916908741. Robert auctioned one of the jerseys he wore while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, his Hall of Fame ring and a Championship ring. #OscarRobertson #NBA #GOAT-Music:1) Audiomachine - Ashes of Time2) Machinimasound - Battle of the Titans Robertson left the NBA with 26,710 points, 9,887 assists and 7,804 rebounds collected in 1,040 games. In the 1960 NBA Draft, Oscar Robertson was selected by the Cincinnati Royals as a territorial pick. The Bucks also retired the No. But it was hap-, those are happy days. When Robertson left college, he was the all-time leading NCAA scorer until fellow Hall-of-Fame player Pete Maravich topped him in 1970. On June 9, 2007, Oscar received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Cincinnati for both his philanthropic and entrepreneurial efforts. Here are some biography quick facts that you need to know about the American basketball legend. The family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, when Robertson was only 18 months old. Oscar Robertson Biography, Life, Interesting Facts Give him two feet and you know what he wants? Robertson stayed with the Bucks from 1970 to 1974, before retiring at 35 years old. [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. 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. An All-Star for five consecutive seasons with the Detroit Pistons and a 10-year NBA veteran who retired after the '63-64 season, Baltimore Bullet coach Gene Shue thinks of two men as the best ever. 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 . 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. Cincinnati had missed the playoffs two years in a row, and attendance was suffering. Also in 1970, Robertson became part of one of the most important court cases in NBA history. [2] Robertson is also the first guard in NBA history to ever average more than 10 rebounds per game, doing so three times. 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. Top 10 Interesting Facts about Oscar Robertson He revealed that he considered Marques Haynes and Goose Tatum who were Harlem Globetrotters players as his basketball idols. The Big O | Cigar Aficionado [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. His best year there was the championship season, when he averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds per . Oscar was born September 14, 1955 in St. Francisville to the late Oscar Robertson, Sr. and Louise Crump Robertson. Grace, Kevin; Hand, Greg; Hathaway, Tom; Hoffman, Carey (1998). 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. Although basketball has changed drastically in the 60 years since Robertson first took the court, he and James have . "[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. In August 2018, Robertson auctioned off his 1971 championship ring, Hall of Fame ring, and one of his Milwaukee Bucks game jerseys. If you have concerns about something that doesnt look right in this Oscar Robertson Biography, Facts, Childhood, Career, Life, please dont hesitate to contact us. Basketball, Team, School. [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. One of the game's most gifted players, Elgin Baylor made 10 appearances on the All-NBA first team. Oscar Robertson Highlights | 4K | Mr. Triple Double - YouTube The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game - Oscar Robertson - Google Books 1961-62 Cincinnati Royals Roster and Stats | Basketball-Reference.com This is why you don't see just one author for this article. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). On December 18, 1964, Robertson recorded a career-high 56 points on 17-for-33 shooting from the field, to go along with 9 rebounds and 12 assists in a 111107 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. (The system allowed a team to claim a local college player in exchange for giving up its first-round pick.) Many observers believed it was Cousys jealousy of Robertson that led to the trade. Well, Oscar Robertson's age is 84 years old as of today's date 1st April 2023 having been born on 24 November 1938. 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 14; the retirement continues to be honored by the Kings in their current home of Sacramento. Oscar's family could not afford to buy a basketball; the youngster learned to shoot by tossing tennis balls and rags held together with rubber bands into a peach basket. In 1962, he became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season (the only player in history besides Russell Westbrook). In 2006, the statue was relocated to the entrance of the Richard E. Lindner Athletics Center at the University of Cincinnati. He was one of five people, along with John Wooden, Bill Russell, Dean Smith, and James Naismith, selected to represent the inaugural class. Oscar was a professional basketball player, and he played for teams like Cincinnati Royals, Milwaukee Bucks, and also the National Basketball Association (NBA). A Letter to My Bucks Family by Oscar Robertson - The Players' Tribune When he was approximately 18 months old, his parents moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he grew up in a segregated housing project. in reaction to flashy or spectacular situations such as fast breaks, slam dunks, player collisions, etc. Robertson chose basketball over baseball. Just how good was he? Oscar Robertson | Encyclopedia.com [2], Robertson also set yardsticks in versatility. In Robertson's last season, he helped lead Milwaukee to a league-best 5923 record and helped them to reach the 1974 NBA Finals. The name Oscar Robertson has become a household name over the years. Five nominees are presented and the individual with the most votes receives the award during the NCAA Final Four. 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. In his second season in the NBA, he emerged as the first player in the league to average a triple-double throughout the season. 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. When he was approximately 18 months old, his parents moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he grew up in a segregated housing project. In the late 1950s road trips through the Midwest were awkward, to say the least. Heaviest Sumo Wrestler List, 25 Best 80s Tennis Players. Joanna Van Gyseghem (granddaughter) Gertrude Elliott (December 14, 1874 December 24, 1950), later Lady Forbes-Robertson, was an American stage actress, part of an extended family of theatre professionals including her husband, Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, and her elder sister, Maxine Elliott . Ten of the twelve college players on the American squad later played in the NBA, including Robertson as well as future Basketball Hall-of-Famers West, Jerry Lucas, and Walt Bellamy. He averaged 24.0 points and was named Indianas Mr. Early Oscar Robertson highlights | NBA.com With his legs starting to go, Robertson considered retirement. Oscar Robertson 2018-19 Panini Prizm #125 vs Jerry West Choice Blue Green Yellow. 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. [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. After his retirement Robertson worked to improve the living conditions of African-Americans in his hometown of Indianapolis by helping to build affordable housing. Research genealogy for Oscar Robertson of Oklahoma, as well as other members of the Robertson family, on Ancestry. [18] The Royals earned a berth to the 1962 NBA playoffs; however, they were eliminated in the first round by the Detroit Pistons. Robertson also owns the chemical company Orchem, based in Cincinnati, Ohio.[45]. [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. 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. Yvonne Crittenden: Fact About Oscar Robertson's Wife 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. Oscar Robertson Cards and Autographed Memorabilia Guide 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. In 1963-64, Robertson cemented his status as one of the leagues dominant players. They started dating and their dating lasted for two years. 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. [2] In his NBA debut, Robertson recorded 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 140123 win over the visiting Lakers. > Archive 75: Oscar Robertson| 75 Stories: Oscar Robertson. [2], Robertson was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on April 28, 1980. She Once Posed for Photos with a Plastic Surgeon, Who Was Adreian Payne? He preferred to play basketball over baseball, which was more popular in the neighborhood because it was "a poor kids' game". It was a feat that would not be repeated until Russell Westbrook managed to achieve it during the 201617 season. He shot 48.5% from the field and 83.8% from the line. He continues to stand atop the Bearcats' record book and the many records he still holds include points in one game at 62 (one of his six games of 50 points or more), career triple-doubles at 10, career rebounds per game at 15.2, and career points at 2,973. He also received All-American honours. [20], In the 196364 season, the Royals achieved a 5525 record,[21] which put them second place in the Eastern Division. After he graduated from high school, Robertson's impressive basketball skills got him admission to the University of Cincinnati, where he first met Yvonne. Oscar Robertson Stats, News, Bio | ESPN Though, he is 6 5 in feet and inches and 196 cm in Centimetres tall, he weighs about 205 . 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. He remained a harsh critic of social policies that adversely affect minorities, particularly African-Americans. ", 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. His family was unable to afford a basketball, so he practiced using tennis balls, rags bound with. On October 30, 1980, Robertson was named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team. When Robertson was a junior, Crispus Attucks dominated its opposition, going 311, and winning the 1955 state championship, the first for any all-black school in the nation. His family was of modest means, and he lived on a housing project in Indianapolis. Character Family. 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This article was most recently revised and updated by, The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Oscar-Robertson, The HistoryMakers - Biography of Oscar Robertson, Oscar Robertson - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Robertson had another great year the following season (28.3 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 9.5 apg, 51.8 field goal percentage). Oscar became involved in philanthropic and social work, especially concerning improving living conditions for African Americans. He has just a few children, all of whom bear his family. The Royals gave Robertson a $33,000 signing bonus. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Basketball, Thinking, Able. Get the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about not available Oscar Robertson on ESPN. Also in 1980, Robertson was named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team. [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]. Ahead of the 1971 season, Robertson was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Oscar Robertson made a tremendous impact on the NBA both as a player and in his off-the-court actions. 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. What should have been a joyous culmination to that 1955 season .