“The Big O”

This statue created in the likeness of former Professional Basketball player Oscar Palmer Robertson dribbling a basketball, is proudly displayed in front of the Fifth Third Area on the University of Cincinnati Ohio campus. Robertson himself was a UC Bearcat having attended the University of Cincinnati, where he played on the basketball team from 1957 to 1960.
AT the base of the statue is Robertson's nickname in his writing saying "Big O"
Oscar Robertson won a gold medal at the 1960 summer Olympics where he was co-captain for of the Men’s Basketball team. Having been the first overall draft pick, he played Professional Basketball for the Cincinnati Royals before being traded to the Milwaukee Buck’s. It would be with the Bucks that he would go on to win a NBA title.

Oscar Palmer Robertson is a former NBA player and UC Alum. Born in November of 1938, he played at Crispus High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, which went on to be the First all black High School to win a Championship in the U.S in 1955. He played Bearcat Varsity Basketball from 1957 to 1960. Robertson led the United States in points per game all three years he played for the University of Cincinnati. He went on to become an all time leading scorer in the NCAA, leading the Bearcats to the Final Four tournament.

Having served as the President of the NBA players association, Oscar Robertson is the first African American to head a Nationwide Labor Union in professional sports.

Media Coverage of Oscar Robertson visiting UC to honor three UC students that stood guard in order to prevent vandalism of the statue by Xavier University students in the spirit of competition.
“Big O” goes to the University of Cincinnati on January 26th, 2017 to honor three UC students. These students took it upon themselves to guard the bronze statue of Oscar Robertson against any vandalism attempts by Xavier University Students.https://www.wcpo.com/sports/college-sports/university-of-cincinnati-sports/university-of-cincinnati-students-camp-out-to-guard-oscar-robertson-statue-from-xavier-fans

https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/oscar-robertson#:~:text=Robertson%20went%20on%20to%20attend,to%20the%20NCAA%20Final%20Four.

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Bearcat BasketballCincinnati royalsFALL 2023Milwaukee BucksOscar Palmer RobertsonPH WILD
By fall 2023, local history, monuments & statues, PH Wild, race & diversity, UC Athletics, University of Cincinnati