In the late ’50s, the Rochester Royals were on the move. After two championships, the team’s owner relocated them to Cincinnati, rebranding them as the Cincinnati Royals, now known as the Sacramento Kings. A fresh chapter began for the franchise when they drafted Oscar Robertson, a local basketball prodigy, in 1960. From day one, Robertson dominated the court, securing All-Star appearances almost every year he played. Yet, despite his efforts, a championship never came to Cincinnati—a heartbreak that still haunts the team. But for Robertson, his time with the Royals left a much deeper mark.

Recently, the 11x All-Star opened up about this on the ALL THE SMOKE podcast. Robertson shared that while being drafted to his local NBA team seemed like a dream, it wasn’t the smooth ride he anticipated. “The draft hurt me. I went to a team that was in disarray, and here I am coming out of school, I was Player of the Year, of course, but I had to carry them. I had to sacrifice my game to make us a unit,” he revealed.

The previous year, the Royals had managed only 19 wins to their 56 losses. And as Roberston relays, he had to carry the team with an incredible 30.5 points per game, 10.1 rebounds, and league-leading 9.7 assists. They would increase the record to 33-46 then, though finishing 4th in the Western Conference. The next year, the Royals made the playoffs to keep the streak alive for six years.

Yet, after a decade with the franchise, being a crucial part of its success, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a move that would shock the basketball world. No official reason was given at that time, but many believed head coach Bob Cousy grew jealous of the attention Robertson received. “I think he was wrong and I will never forget it,” Robertson once said.

Ironically, the trade worked in Robertson’s favor. The very next season, he won a championship with the Bucks, averaging an impressive 19.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 8.2 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, his former team would go through a series of name changes, eventually becoming the Sacramento Kings.

To honor Robertson’s lasting legacy, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced in February that a statue of the Hall of Famer will be placed outside Crispus Attucks High School in 2025.

Oscar Robertson’s early journey

Oscar Robertson’s love for basketball started at Crispus Attucks High School, a place that lacked even a gym for its students. Under the guidance of Coach Ray Crowe, Robertson developed the fundamental skills.By his junior and senior years, he was leading the Attucks Tigers to an incredible 45-game winning streak, culminating in back-to-back state championships. In 1956, he was even named as Indiana’s “Mr. Basketball.”

As the first African American school to claim the Indiana state title, Robertson and his teammates became national news. His skills were so highly regarded that over 30 colleges tried to recruit him.

Ultimately, Robertson chose to stay close to home, attending the University of Cincinnati. It wasn’t just proximity that influenced his decision, though—it was the Bearcats’ tough schedule. Once again, Robertson took on a leadership role, pushing his team to new heights. 10 triple-doubles and an unforgettable game against Indiana State where he dropped 45 points, grabbed 23 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists.

Years later, Robertson’s remarkable NCAA career came full circle when the United States Basketball Writers Association renamed the Player of the Year award in his honor in 1998. The Oscar Robertson Trophy, fittingly, now carries the name of the man who won the first two of those very awards.