Oscar Robertson

Three-time national player of the year at Cincinnati — averaged 33.8 points per game across three college seasons.

Oscar Palmer Robertson was born in Charlotte, Tennessee in 1938 and grew up in Indianapolis. He attended the University of Cincinnati at a time when Black players faced significant obstacles — on road trips the team sometimes stayed in separate accommodations due to segregation. He was the national player of the year three consecutive times (1958, 1959, 1960) — averaging 33.8 points per game across his three-year varsity career, which at the time was the highest career average in college basketball history. He led Cincinnati to two Final Four appearances. He won Olympic gold with the USA at Rome 1960. He was selected first overall by the Cincinnati Royals in the 1960 NBA Draft. His Cincinnati career statistics — 33.8 points and 15.2 rebounds per game — are extraordinary even considering the era. His athleticism, intelligence and will to compete at a school that was not yet a major national programme established him as one of the greatest players in college basketball history before he ever played a professional game. The Oscar Robertson Trophy — awarded annually to the best player in college basketball — was named in his honour.

• NCAA Player of the Year 3x (1958, 1959, 1960)
• Final Four 2x
• Oscar Robertson Trophy namesake
• Olympic Gold Medal (1960)