Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball Legend Oscar Robertson Latest Arthur Ashe Courage Award Winner

A lasting legend.

Dec 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Former NBA player Oscar Robertson looks on during the second half between the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks in a semifinal of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI —  The Big O is getting a nice honor at this year's ESPY Awards. Oscar Robertson is this year's Arthur Ashe Courage Award winner for fighting to spark free agency in the NBA.

Robertson spearheaded a 1970 lawsuit against the NBA to get contract freedom for players to choose where they wanted to suit up. The fight eventually led to the creation of restricted free agency.

The Cincinnati legend played for UC in the late 1950s and was drafted first overall by the Cincinnati Royals in 1960. He owns the third-best career scoring average in NCAA history (33.8 PPG) and fans can catch the ceremony airing on ESPN July 16 at 8 p.m. ET.

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