In everything in life from school to the professional world, the goal for many is to be the absolute best they can be at their craft. In the world of sports, though, that drive and passion gets turned all the way up to 11. For in sports, the goal is to not simply become the best, but find your way into the illustrious halls of your sport’s Hall of Fame.
Only a chosen number have been able to do the same in basketball, the greatest of the great. These are the players who live in the minds and stories of fans forever, those who they tell their kids and grandkids about.
For teams, though, there is also a distinct honor similar to this, even though they may not be mutually exclusive: the hanging of a player’s jersey in their rafters. Some are all-time greats who are also enshrined, while others are special to that team, but may not be recognized outside of their world.
The Milwaukee Bucks have bestowed this honor to nine men as of writing, those who have helped shape the franchise’s history and fabric as we know it today. In this Bucks Rafters Series, Wisconsin Sports Heroics takes a look back at what brought these men here, what they did with their time, and the lasting impact they left.
Without further ado, then, here is number one, fitting considering the number.
Oscar Robertson
- Seasons played w/ MIL: 4 (70-71 through 73-74)
- Career stats w/ MIL: 16.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 7.5 APG, 1.1 SPG
- Accomplishments: 1971 NBA Champion, 2x All-Star, 2nd Team All-NBA (70-71)
Before The Bucks
Oscar Robertson was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on November 24, 1938. A well-traveled young man to say the least, he grew up and attended high school in Indianapolis. He then made his way to the University of Cincinnati to play college ball for the Bearcats. While there, he lit up the college basketball landscape, averaging 33.2/15.2/7.1 over his sophomore and junior seasons. Not to be forgotten, he averaged 35.1 points and15.2 rebounds in freshman year. Assists were not yet tracked.
This dominance at the college level led to Robertson becoming the first overall pick in the 1960 NBA Draft. As the draft still operated under territorial pick rules at this point, the Cincinnati Royals were able to scoop him up. Safe to say, Robertson picked up where he left off in college. Sparked by a rookie season in which he averaged a staggering 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists, Robertson would go on to have one of the most dominant runs the game has ever seen during his time in Cincinnati. He would average a triple-double in his sophomore season, accounting for 41 of his 184 triple-doubles during this tenure. In fact, 148 of them came in his first six seasons.
How He Got Here
In April of 1970, the Bucks would make arguably the greatest beneficial trade in franchise history. They acquired the services of Oscar Robertson from the Royals in exchange for guard Flynn Robinson and forward Charlie Paulk. The move shocked the NBA. It was seen as a miniscule return for a player of Robertson’s caliber. One speculated theory, though, has been indirectly addressed by Robertson himself. It is said that Royals head coach Bob Cousy, the former Celtics legend, was “jealous” of the attention that Robertson received. Whatever the case may be, the Bucks got their man.
Robertson would average a cool 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists in his first season with Milwaukee. He teamed up with a young Kareem to bring Milwaukee their first NBA Championship. While he did make one more All-Star team the next season, Robertson would retire at 35 after the 1973-74 season. His jersey was retired by the team on October 18, 1974. He is the only player in the history of the franchise to bear the number that bears his name in the Fiserv Forum rafters.
After The Bucks
Signifying his greatness with his other franchise, the Kansas City Kings retired Robertson’s #14. His number remains retired even though the team is now in Sacramento.
Robertson has been a busy man in his post-NBA career. From a couple stints as a color commentator to his continued efforts to improve living conditions in his hometown of Indianapolis, Robertson has made use of his time. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. John Wooden and James Naismith were other members of that class. Robertson was even the head coach at his alma mater for a time. He coached the Bearcats for approximately a month in 2004.
Oscar Robertson is more than deserving of his place in the rafters. He delivered the Bucks a championship. He is also one of the all-time greats not just in, but outside of a Bucks uniform.
Follow me on Twitter for more great content @paul_willems15 and follow WSH @WiscoHeroics1 as well. For the latest in Wisconsin Sports, click here!
