Oscar Robertson, known as “The Big O,” revolutionized basketball with his all-around dominance and trailblazing leadership on and off the court. From averaging a triple-double to reshaping NBA labor rights, his legacy remains a testament to greatness.
Early Life: From Tennessee Roots to Indiana Greatness
Born on November 24, 1938, in Charlotte, Tennessee, Oscar Robertson moved to Indianapolis during World War II with his parents, Mazell Bell & Bailey Robertson, Sr. There, he enrolled at Crispus Attucks High School, an all-Black school that became the backdrop for one of the most groundbreaking runs in high school basketball history.
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)Under the guidance of Coach Ray Crowe, Robertson’s natural talent was shaped into greatness. In 1955, he led the team to become the first all-Black high school in the U.S. to win a state championship. The following year, Crispus Attucks repeated the feat with an undefeated season.
College Dominance at the University of Cincinnati
Robertson went on to play varsity basketball at the University of Cincinnati from 1957 to 1960. He led the NCAA in scoring all three years and twice took the Bearcats to the NCAA Final Four. By the end of his college career, he became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer.
He graduated in 1960 with a degree in business — the same year he co-captained Team USA to a gold medal in the Rome Summer Olympics.
NBA Breakthrough: Triple-Doubles & Records That Stood for Decades
Robertson entered the NBA in 1960 as the No. 1 overall pick, joining the Cincinnati Royals. He made an immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year and averaging 30.5 points per game.
His second season became legendary: he averaged 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, & 11.4 assists per game — the first full-season triple-double in league history. That record stood unmatched for over 50 years until Russell Westbrook achieved the feat in the 2016–17 season.
According to the NBA profile, Robertson spent 14 seasons in the league, becoming the top-scoring guard of his era and retiring with 26,710 points. He made the All-NBA First Team nine times and was selected to 12 All-Star Games.
Championship Glory & Partnership With Kareem
In 1970, Robertson was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he teamed up with a young Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Their partnership led to the Bucks’ first NBA championship in 1971. Robertson retired in 1974, bringing to a close a legendary career.
Robertson’s impact went beyond the court. From 1965 to 1974, he served as president of the NBA Players Association, becoming the first African American to lead a major professional sports union.
He led the landmark antitrust case Robertson v. National Basketball Association, which ultimately paved the way for free agency and reshaped the league. The “Oscar Robertson Rule” became a defining labor win in sports history.
Life After Basketball: Business, Philanthropy & Family
After retiring, Robertson launched multiple businesses, including OR Solutions and Orchem, Inc. He co-founded the National Basketball Retired Players Association in 1992 and has supported causes like the Boys Club of New York and the National Kidney Foundation.
He also established the Oscar & Yvonne Robertson Scholarship Fund to support minority students at his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati.
Robertson and his wife, Yvonne Crittenden, have three daughters: Shana, Tia, and Mari. Even today, when players are praised for doing it all, Robertson’s name inevitably comes up — and it likely always will.
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The Background on NBA Star Oscar Robertson