The Oscar Robertson Trophy is the premier men’s college player of the year award. It is also the only player of the year award actually named after a player -- in this case, the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ “Player of the Century.”

While starring at the University of Cincinnati, Oscar Robertson was the first player ever to win national College Player of the Year honors three times, beginning with his sophomore season in 1957-58. (Freshmen were not then eligible for varsity competition.) See the "Career Statistics" page in the “About The Big O” section for more details.

In 1959, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association began selecting a men's College Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. Robertson won USBWA Player of the Year honors in 1959 and 1960. In 1998, the USBWA renamed its Player of the Year award the Oscar Robertson Trophy. The award is presented by the USBWA each year in the Final Four host city.

Winners of The Oscar Robertson Trophy since the award was renamed have been:*

• 1998: Antawn Jamison, University of North Carolina
• 1999: Elton Brand, Duke University
• 2000: Kenyon Martin, University of Cincinnati
• 2001: Shane Battier, Duke University
• 2002: Jason Williams, Duke University
• 2003: David West, Xavier University
• 2004: Jameer Nelson, St Joseph’s University
• 2005: Andrew Bogut, University of Utah
• 2006, Adam Morrison, Gonzaga; J.J. Redick, Duke
  (co-winners, first in the history of the award)
• 2007, Kevin Durant, University of Texas
  (first freshman to win the award)
• 2008: Tyler Hansbrough, University of North Carolina

UCLA has the most Oscar Robertson Trophy winners with nine, followed by Duke University with seven. Kenyon Martin was the first University of Cincinnati player to win the award since The Big O himself last won in 1960.

*For a complete list of USBWA award winners, go to http://www.oscarrobertsontrophy.com.

Two permanent display cases, one of Oscar Robertson Trophy winners and one of memorabilia from The Big O's career dating back to Indianapolis Crispus Attucks High School, have been set up in the entrance hall at Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers and site of the 2006 Oscar Robertson Trophy presentation. Larry Bird, president of basketball operations for the Pacers, assisted The Big O in unveiling the display cases.

Last update 4/3/08