 Whenever
basketball discussions
turn to naming the
greatest player in
history, Oscar
Robertson's name is
always prominently
mentioned. Red Auerbach,
who coached a slew of
Hall of Famers with the
Boston Celtics, rates
Robertson as the best,
most versatile player he
has ever seen. Most
other basketball experts
would agree: the "Big O"
could do it all. He was
an unstoppable offensive
player; one who could
score from every spot on
the court and in any
manner he saw fit.
Robertson's offensive
prowess changed the
point guard stereotype
from simply a passer and
"floor general" to a
scorer and offensive
weapon. Robertson truly
had a presence on the
court...Book
Oscar Robertson for Your Event
A three-time All-State
selection at
Indianapolis' Crispus
Attucks High School, the
"Big O" was heavily
recruited and opted to
remain close to home at
the University of
Cincinnati. Robertson's
collegiate career
(1957-60) was historic:
he established 19 school
and 14 NCAA records and
led the Bearcats to a
79-9 record and two
straight NCAA tournament
third place finishes in
1959 and 1960. A
three-time College
Player of the Year and
national scoring leader
at Cincinnati, Robertson
scored 2,973 points
(33.8 ppg), placing him
seventh all-time in NCAA
history.
Robertson co-captained
the 1960 United States
Olympic gold medal
team-considered by many
as the greatest
assemblage of amateur
talent ever-before
beginning a prolific
14-year NBA career with
the Cincinnati Royals
and Milwaukee Bucks. As
a rookie in 1961,
Robertson won the first
of three All-Star Game
MVP awards (1961, 1964,
1969) along with being
named Rookie of the
Year. Robertson captured
the 1964 NBA MVP Award
with impressive numbers,
31.4 ppg, 11.0 apg and
9.9 rpg, but the "Big
O's" best statistical
season came in 1961-62.
Oscar averaged a triple
double for the entire
season, averaging 30.8
ppg, 11.4 apg and 12.5
rpg, a feat that has
never been duplicated.
He earned All-NBA honors
11 times and led the
Royals and the Bucks to
10 playoff berths. In
1971, Robertson teamed
with Lew Alcindor
(Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to
land Milwaukee its only
NBA title, the Bucks'
third year as a
professional franchise.
Robertson concluded his
career with 26,710
points (25.7 per game),
9,887 assists (9.5 per
game) and 7,804 rebounds
(7.5 per game). Upon
retirement, Robertson
left a lasting
impression on the NBA
record books as the
all-time leader in
career assists and free
throws made.
>>> Book Oscar Robertson for Your Event
|
