Net Worth Ranker
What Is Oscar Robertson’s Net Worth?
According to available information, Oscar Robertson, the celebrated American retired professional basketball player, has a net worth of $200,000. This figure reflects his financial standing as of the latest reports, influenced by various factors, including past business ventures and financial obligations.
Oscar Robertson: Early Life and Career Foundation
Oscar Palmer Robertson was born on November 24, 1938, in Charlotte, Tennessee. His family, including his parents Mazell and Bailey, and his brothers Henry and Bailey Jr., faced significant economic challenges during his early years. When Oscar was around 18 months old, the family relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana, where they resided in the Lockefield Gardens segregated housing project. This environment shaped his early life and instilled in him a strong determination to overcome adversity.
Despite the financial constraints, Robertson’s passion for basketball flourished. Lacking the resources for a real basketball, he improvised with tennis balls, rags bound with rubber bands, and a peach basket. He honed his skills at Crispus Attucks High School, an all-black school, where he played under coach Ray Crowe. In 1955, Robertson led his team to a historic state championship victory, marking the first time an all-black school in the U.S. had achieved this feat. The team continued their success, finishing 1956 with a perfect 31–0 record and securing their second consecutive IHSAA Men’s Basketball Championship. As a senior, Oscar averaged 24 points per game, earning the title of Indiana Mr. Basketball. His exceptional performance led him to attend the University of Cincinnati, further solidifying his path to basketball stardom.
Collegiate and Professional Basketball Career
During his time with the Cincinnati Bearcats, Robertson consistently demonstrated exceptional talent, averaging 33.8 points per game. He was named College Player of the Year and an All-American in each of his three years, solidifying his status as a dominant force in college basketball. Robertson also led the nation in scoring every year, and his 33.8 points per game average remains the third-highest in college history. He established over a dozen NCAA records and 19 University of Cincinnati records. Over three seasons, the Bearcats achieved a remarkable 79–9 overall record and reached the Final Four twice. Despite his success, Robertson faced racial discrimination, often being forced to sleep in college dorms rather than hotels when the team traveled to segregated cities.
In 1960, Robertson was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals as a territorial pick, receiving a $33,000 signing bonus. In his first NBA game, he scored 21 points. In a November game against the Philadelphia Warriors, he scored 44 points. During his rookie season, Robertson averaged 30.5 points, earning him the NBA Rookie of the Year award, a spot on the All-NBA First Team, and selection for the All-Star Game. He continued to excel, making the All-NBA First Team for nine consecutive seasons and participating in the All-Star Game 12 times. Robertson played for the Royals until 1970 and was named the NBA Most Valuable Player in 1964. He was the first NBA player to average a triple-double for an entire season, setting a record for the most triple-doubles during the regular season with 41. In the 1970–71 season, Robertson was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks, with a 66–16 record, won the 1971 NBA Finals. After spending four seasons with the Bucks, Robertson retired. In 1995, he was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
Oscar Robertson: Financial Challenges and Business Ventures
In 1981, Oscar Robertson founded a chemical company called Orchem. However, the business reportedly went bankrupt in 2012. In July 2018, it was revealed that Oscar owed $200,000 in back taxes and $2.4 million in bank loans. To alleviate these financial burdens, he initiated an auction to sell some of his most prized basketball memorabilia. The auction included his 1971 NBA Championship ring, his Basketball Hall of Fame ring and induction trophy, and all 12 of his NBA All-Star rings. The specific amounts generated from the auction are not detailed in the provided information.
Awards and Recognition
Oscar Robertson’s career is marked by numerous awards and accolades. In 1956, he was named Mr. Basketball USA. From 1958 to 1960, he was consistently selected for the First-team All-MVC and Consensus first-team All-American. He also received recognition as the NCAA scoring champion, UPI College Player of the Year, and “Sporting News” College Player of the Year during these years. In 1959 and 1960, he was honored as the USBWA College Player of the Year and Helms College Player of the Year. In 1961, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year. Robertson led the NBA in assists in 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, and 1969. He earned a spot on the All-NBA First Team every year from 1961 to 1969. He was the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1961, 1964, and 1969. Furthermore, he was recognized as the NBA Most Valuable Player in 1964 and was an NBA All-Star 12 times from 1961 to 1972. In 1970 and 1971, Robertson was selected for the All-NBA Second Team. He was also chosen for the 35th, 50th, and 75th NBA anniversary teams. These achievements underscore his lasting impact on the sport of basketball.
Personal Life and Philanthropic Efforts
Oscar Robertson married Yvonne Crittenden on June 25, 1960, and they have three children together. In 1997, he donated a kidney to his daughter Tia, who suffered kidney failure due to lupus. Following this act, Robertson became an honorary spokesman for the National Kidney Foundation, a nonprofit health organization. In 2007, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Cincinnati in recognition of his entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors. Oscar is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity’s Beta Eta chapter.
