Oscar Robertson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

After college, Robertson and Jerry West co-captained the 1960 U.S. basketball team at the 1960 Summer Olympics. The team, described as the greatest assemblage of basketball talent ever at that point, steamrolled the competition to win the gold medal. Robertson was a starting forward along with Purdue's Terry Dischinger, but played point guard as well. He was the leading scorer of the team, as the U.S. team won its nine games by an average margin of 42.4 points. Ten of the twelve college players on the American squad later played in the NBA, including Robertson as well as future Basketball Hall-of-Famers West, Jerry Lucas, and Walt Bellamy. Robertson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 as a member of the 1960 United States men's Olympic basketball team.

In Their Own Story

In Rome, Robertson co-captained a squad that included future Hall-of-Famers Jerry West, Jerry Lucas, and Walt Bellamy. He started at forward alongside Terry Dischinger but also handled point guard duties. Robertson led the team in scoring as the U.S. won all nine games by an average margin of 42.4 points. The team's dominance was so complete that ten of the twelve college players on the roster later played in the NBA. Robertson's performance in the Olympics was part of a career that would see him inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice—once for his individual career in 1980, and again in 2010 as a member of that 1960 Olympic team.

Reader's Guide

The 1960 U.S. Olympic team featured Robertson as co-captain and leading scorer. He played both forward and point guard, showcasing the versatility that defined his career. The team's nine-game run included an average victory margin of 42.4 points. Robertson's Olympic gold medal was one of many career highlights: he was a 12-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team member, 1964 NBA MVP, and the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season (1962). He later won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1970–71. Robertson was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 1960 Olympic team in 2010.

Did You Know?

• Robertson co-captained the 1960 U.S. Olympic team alongside Jerry West.
• The 1960 U.S. team won its nine Olympic games by an average margin of 42.4 points.
• Ten of the twelve college players on the 1960 U.S. Olympic team later played in the NBA.
• Robertson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 as a member of the 1960 Olympic team.
• Robertson was the leading scorer for the 1960 U.S. Olympic basketball team.