Hall-of-Famer Oscar Robertson recalls 60s international showcase ahead of NBA Abu Dhabi Games

ABU DHABI: Few basketball players have shaped the game the way Oscar Robertson has. The Hall of Famer, known as The Big O, was the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double over an entire season — a feat not repeated until Russell Westbrook managed it more than 50 years later. He was also the league’s inaugural Rookie of the Year in 1961 and later captured an NBA championship with Milwaukee.

Now Robertson is making his Abu Dhabi debut, attending The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 where the New York Knicks face the Philadelphia 76ers at Etihad Arena on Oct. 2 and 4.

Robertson told Arab News in an exclusive interview that his first taste of basketball outside the US came not through the NBA but on a goodwill tour in 1964 — one of the earliest efforts to take the game to an international audience.

“In 1964, we took a trip overseas to Yugoslavia, Poland, Romania, and Egypt. We thought we’d play a couple of games, but we ended up playing 16,” he recalled. “It was a lot of basketball, but I enjoyed it. For the first time in my life, I went to the pyramids, saw the camps in Poland, and visited Romania — nice place, Count Dracula, Bucharest.”

Although not officially part of the NBA calendar, the trip gave Robertson a glimpse of basketball’s global potential and left a lasting impression on his career.

Looking at how far the sport has come, Robertson praised the impact of modern visibility.

“Once it’s on social media, people can see the players no matter the time difference. That means a lot. And then you see how well international players are doing in the NBA. It’s wonderful, truly wonderful.”

While his triple-double record defines his legacy today, Robertson said that the stat was not even recognized in his era.