Rick Robey, Boston Celtics center.
progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – Frederick Robert Robey, commonly known as Rick Robey, was born in Florida on January 30, 1956. He is a former American college and professional basketball player. Standing at 7 feet 11 inches (2.11 meters), he played center for the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, and Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Robey was selected on a list of the 30 hottest college prospects in 1974, targeted by five leading college basketball coaches. They were Coach Gene Bartow of Memphis State, Don Haskins of the University of Texas at El Paso, Dick “Digger” Phelps of Notre Dame, George Raveling of Washington State, and Norm Sloan of North Carolina State. They agreed to select Robey as one of the six most promising centers in America.
Averaging 19,9 points and 15,9 rebounds per game as a high school senior for the Brother Martin High School Crusaders in New Orleans, Louisiana, Robey was also rumored to be a youngster capable of making college coaches salivate.
Robey, then ranked the fifth-best young college player in the United States, estimated that 210 college basketball programs had contacted him about joining.
The media, which followed Robey closely at the time, kept tabs on him until Robey narrowed down his options for his college basketball career. By early 1974, Robey reportedly had three definite colleges in mind: Tulane University, the University of Florida, or the University of Kentucky.
Rick Robey, Boston Celtics center.
In April 1974, Robey finally chose the University of Kentucky and accepted a scholarship offered by Coach Joe B. Hall. Hall also recruited Jack Givens, James Lee, and Mike Phillips to the University of Kentucky roster in 1974. Robey and Phillips were often referred to as the “Twin Towers” of NCAA basketball while playing together at the University of Kentucky.
Robey’s decision was also heavily influenced by Kentucky’s love of basketball.
“I think the coaches here are really good people, and of course, the fans are amazing,” he said at the time.
Robey was a member of the 1974–75 University of Kentucky team that finished runner-up in the 1975 NCAA Championship. He was also a member of the 1977–78 University of Kentucky team that won the 1978 NCAA Championship.
Although Kentucky’s 1978 championship victory with a score of 94–88 against the Duke Blue Devils is often remembered for Jack Givens’ 41-point outburst, Sports Illustrated magazine actually stated that Robey had the most spectacular performance of the game.
Rick Robey, Boston Celtics center.
With 7:39 remaining, University of Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall rushed onto the court during a brief pause in play to call Robey a foul. Seconds later, Robey responded by picking up the loose ball and making a basket in one fell swoop. During the championship game, Robey shot 8-of-11 from the field, scored 20 points, and had a team-leading 11 rebounds.
Entering his professional career, Robey was the third overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. He was then selected by the Indiana Pacers. Midway through his rookie season, Robey was traded to the Boston Celtics for former ABA All-Star Billy Knight.
Robey played for five seasons with the Boston Celtics (1979–1983). After playing for the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns before the 1983–84 season in exchange for Dennis Johnson.
He scored 3.723 points throughout his career. Robey averaged 7,6 points, 4,7 rebounds, and 1,2 assists per game. Robey was also a member of the Boston Celtics championship-winning team in 1981.
However, his jersey number 53, was not retired. Three other players after Robey wore it: Artis Gilmore (1988), Joe Kleine (1989–1993), and Alton Lister (1995–1997). But Robey remains the most prominent player to wear the number 53 jersey. (Bembo)
