Oscar Robertson
Athlete
Inducted: December 13, 1983
Second Annual Induction Ceremony
Kissimmee, Florida
(The following appeared in that year’s HOF induction program)
Indiana's first inductee into the National High School Hall of Fame...one of basketball's all-time greats and a prime figure in the sport's history ... considered by many to be one of the most gifted guards and premier all-around players in the game ... silky-smooth playing style combined soft scoring touch with keen playmaking and floor skills ... after recording legendary prep career at Indianapolis Crispus Attucks High School he went on to star at the University of Cincinnati and enjoyed lengthy career in the National Basketball Association.
The "Big O" blossomed as a sophomore on a Crispus Attucks team that advanced to the "Final Eight" in 1954 and then was the big gun the next two years on back-to-back state championship editions ... school won 62 of 63 games during his final two years, including a state record 45-game winning streak and an unbeaten 1956 campaign . . . team never played a "true" home game as the school's gym was too small and most of home games were moved to 14,900-seat fieldhouse at Butler University.
A 6-5 guard and forward during prep days, he averaged 24 points over his career and 28 per game during the last two campaigns ... set a 62-point single game scoring record and had 38-point output against Lafayette Jefferson in state tourney title game of '56 which was once a tournament best ... also established 41-point single game and 75-point two-game highs for Indiana all-star team in traditional rivalry against Kentucky's prep standouts.
Went on to Cincinnati (1957-60), where he was three-time All-American and the national "Player-of-the-Year" in 1958, 1959 and '60 ... the major college scoring champ for three years, he scored at a 33.8 points per game clip during 88 collegiate games to establish 16 Missouri Valley Conference records and 14 NCAA scoring marks ... averaged 35.l as sophomore, 32.6 his junior year and 33. 7 as a senior ... still stands as the third most prolific scorer in NCAA history behind Pete Maravich of Louisiana State and Notre Dame's Austin Carr ... owns unique distinction of scoring over 2,000 points (2,993) while registering over 1,000 rebounds (1,338) ... all-around talents helped Cincy build a dynasty that culminated with final four berths his junior and senior years and a pair of national titles (1961 and '62) following his graduation.
During 14 superb years in the NBA, he led Cincinnati and Milwaukee to nine playoffs ... scored 26,710 points, an average of 25.7 over 1,035 contests, and dished out 9,887 career assists ... assist count is an all-time NBA best by over 2,500 and point total ranks fourth behind Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Elvin Hayes ... was selected to all-league team on 11 occasions and played in all-star game 12 times, earning "Most Valuable Player" honors for the contest in 1961, 1964 and '69 ... was the loop's MVP in 1964 when he averaged 31.4 points and 11.0 assists ... topped league in assists with 9.7 average and tallied at 30.5 points per game clip to earn "Rookie-of-the-Year" honor in 1961 ... veteran experience, 19.4 point average and team high 668 assists (8.2) helped Milwaukee Bucks to NBA crown in 1971 ... was inducted into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.
Born November 24, 1938, in Charlotte, Tenn .... now lives in Cincinnati.
