NBA's Greatest Players in History: Oscar Robertson

• First player to average a triple-double for an entire NBA season
• 12-time NBA All-Star and 1-time NBA champion
• Pioneering president of the National Basketball Players Association from 1965-1974
• Member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team

Oscar Robertson was a revolutionary guard whose all-around brilliance and leadership both on and off the court helped shape the modern NBA and empower players for generations to come.

Overview

Oscar Robertson is widely regarded as one of the most complete players in NBA history. Standing 6'5" with a muscular 205-pound frame, "The Big O" possessed a rare combination of size, strength, and skill for a guard in the 1960s and early 70s. His versatile game allowed him to dominate in multiple facets, becoming the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season in 1961-62.

Career Snapshot

Robertson entered the NBA in 1960 as the first overall draft pick by the Cincinnati Royals. He made an immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year and MVP of the All-Star Game in his debut season. Over his 14-year career split between the Royals and Milwaukee Bucks, Robertson amassed incredible statistical totals:

• 26,710 points (25.7 ppg)
• 9,887 assists (9.5 apg)
• 7,804 rebounds (7.5 rpg)
• 12x All-Star
• 11x All-NBA First Team
• 1964 MVP
• 1971 NBA Champion

Playing Style

Robertson revolutionized the guard position with his multifaceted skillset. At 6'5", he towered over most backcourt opponents, allowing him to post up smaller guards or shoot over them with ease. His strength and rebounding prowess were uncommon for perimeter players of his era.

Robertson's court vision and passing ability were elite, routinely finding teammates for easy baskets. He could score from anywhere on the floor, with a reliable jump shot and crafty moves to get to the rim. His basketball IQ and competitive fire made him a floor general who elevated the play of those around him.

Why Oscar Robertson is on our list

Oscar Robertson's impact on basketball extends far beyond his impressive statistics. He was a trailblazer who helped break down racial barriers in the sport during the Civil Rights era. As president of the players' union, he fought for better working conditions and player rights, including the landmark "Oscar Robertson Rule" that paved the way for free agency.

On the court, Robertson's versatility and all-around excellence foreshadowed the positionless style of play that dominates today's NBA. He proved that guards could dominate the game in multiple ways, setting a new standard for what was possible at the position.

Five Fast Facts

1. Averaged a triple-double over his first 5 NBA seasons (30.3 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 10.6 apg)
2. First player to lead the NBA in scoring (29.2 ppg) and assists (9.7 apg) in the same season (1967-68)
3. Holds the NBA record for most career triple-doubles (181) for decades until Russell Westbrook broke it in 2021
4. Won an Olympic gold medal as co-captain of the 1960 U.S. team
5. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980

Career Highlights Timeline

1960: Drafted 1st overall by Cincinnati Royals, wins Rookie of the Year

1961: Wins All-Star Game MVP as a rookie

1962: Averages a triple-double for the entire season (30.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 11.4 apg)

1964: Wins NBA MVP award

1970: Traded to Milwaukee Bucks

1971: Wins NBA championship with Bucks alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

1974: Retires from NBA after 14 seasons

Oscar Robertson's legacy as both a player and advocate for players' rights cements his status as one of the most influential figures in NBA history. His groundbreaking achievements on the court and tireless work off it helped shape the league into what it is today, making him an essential inclusion on any list of the most dominant NBA players ever.

NBA's Greatest of All-Time List: Click the player's name to read their profile