Robertson, Oscar

Robertson, Oscar, 1938–, U.S. basketball player, b. Charlotte, Tenn. Passionately devoted to basketball as a youth, Robertson led his high school team to 45 consecutive victories. After an athletically brilliant college career at the Univ. of Cincinnati, Robertson, known as the "Big O," joined the Cincinnati Royals of the National Basketball Association. Robertson, only 6 ft 4 in. (193 cm) in height, scored 26,710 points for the Royals (1960–70) and the Milwaukee Bucks (1970–72). His career total of 9,887 assists marks him as a superb playmaker.

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Robertson, Oscar (Palmer)

(born Nov. 24, 1938, Charlotte, Tenn., U.S.) U.S. basketball player. He was the first African American to play for the University of Cincinnati. Drafted by the Cincinnati Royals of the NBA in 1960, he averaged double figures in points (30.8), rebounds (12.5), and assists (11.4) per game in 1961–62, a feat unmatched by any other player. He played for the Milwaukee Bucks (1970–74) and helped the team win a championship in 1970. He ended his career with 26,710 points, 7,804 rebounds, and 9,887 assists.

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Robertson, Oscar (1938–  ) basketball player; born in Charlotte, Tenn. A three-time college player of the year at the University of Cincinnati (1958–60), he co-captained the 1960 U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal. He played guard for the Cincinnati Royals (1960–70) and Milwaukee Bucks (1970–74), where he was a nine-time All-NBA (National Basketball Association) first team selection. Nicknamed "the Big O," his 9,887 lifetime assists is second best in NBA history, and his 26,710 career points is fourth on the all-time list. A broadcaster after retiring from the game, he was elected to basketball's Hall of Fame in 1979.