FALL 2012 Auction

Oscar Robertson came to Cincinnati amid as much fanfare as any high school player had ever experienced, so expectations for the arriving "Mr. Basketball" from Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis were sky high. Because the NCAA had that quaint rule in effect at the time about freshman not playing varsity sports, Bearcat fans had to wait until 1957 to see how the 20-year-old performed at the highest level. The only surprise was perhaps the extent of his dominance, which would have been virtually impossible to foresee. Robertson led the NCAA in scoring all three years, averaging 33.8 points per game, locked up All-American and College Player of the Year honors and ended up setting 14 NCAA and 19 school records along the way. The Bearcats went 79-9 over his career and made two Final Four appearances, and college basketball was well on its way to a golden era that would dramatically reshape the dimensions and reach of the NCAA Tournament. With that backdrop, it's difficult to imagine a more important collegiate jersey than this circa 1959 Cincinnati Bearcats shirt worn by the greatest player in the school's history. The jersey is in excellent condition, showing considerable game use indicators front and back, with the "Cincinnati" red-and-black embroidered lettering on the front showing good color retention and virtually no graying of the stitching. Robertson's No. 12 on front and back are in similar condition, though both have been restored. The tagging at the front of the jersey has been removed.

Comes with a Letter of Authenticity from Oscar Robertson.