Rick Robey

Last updated

Rick Robey
Rick Robey UK.jpg
Robey during his senior season at Kentucky
Personal information
Born (1956-01-30) January 30, 1956 (age 68)
Coral Gables, Florida, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school Brother Martin
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
College Kentucky (1974–1978)
NBA draft 1978: 1st round, 3rd overall pick
Selected by the Indiana Pacers
Playing career1978–1986
Position Center
Number53, 8
Career history
1978–1979 Indiana Pacers
1979–1983 Boston Celtics
1983–1986 Phoenix Suns
Career highlights and awards
Career statistics
Points 3,723 (7.6 ppg)
Rebounds 2,301 (4.7 rpg)
Assists 611 (1.2 apg)
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Men's basketball
Pan American Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1975 Mexico City Team competition

Frederick Robert "Rick" Robey (born January 30, 1956) is an American former college and professional basketball player. At 6'11", he played the center position for the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, and the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Contents

Early life

Born in Coral Gables, Florida, Robey's family moved across America as he grew up. Robey remembered "I lived in Coral Gables and Jacksonville, Florida until I was about five, then in Memphis (Tennessee) until I was 8 1/2, in Alaska until I was 11 and in New Orleans ever since". [1]

Robey's interest in basketball started early. The Robey family lived in Kodiak, Alaska for two years where Robey's father worked at the Kodiak Naval Operating Base. His father, Fred Robey was a civilian employee of the US Defense Investigative Service [1] who said Robey's interest in basketball "...started very young, about five or six. He'd say 'Dad, come out and throw the ball to me' and I'd do it. Then he started saying 'Dad, let's go out and shoot baskets' and I'd do that too". [2] Robey started playing basketball in the naval station's gymnasium every day, competing with much older sailors and marines. Robey's father said "they were all so much bigger and better than him that he learned he just had to be aggressive". [2]

High school career

Robey played high school basketball as a center for the Brother Martin High School Crusaders in New Orleans, Louisiana.

While discussing new recruits in 1972, then Brother Martin Crusaders' basketball coach Andy Russo said of Robey "...one is a sophomore, Rick (Robey) is 6' 9" and weighs 215 pounds. He has never played high school ball, but when Marquette was in New Orleans to play Tulane, coach Al McGuire had Rick out to dinner. I don't know how he knew about him, but that's the kind of prospect Rick is. And he (Robey) hasn't even bounced a ball for us, yet." [3]

After joining the team, Robey lost a season due to leaving his home school district. [1] In the year he sat out, Robey said "I grew five inches - up to 6' 10" inches. And I did get to practice and dress for games". [1] Beginning to play as a high school junior, Robey quickly became the team leader in scoring, averaging 16.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. [4]

Tom Kolb, Robey's high school coach during his senior year at Brother Martin said "When we got to the state playoffs... the true Rick Robey came out. Over the final five games, he averaged 28 points and 23 rebounds". [2]

During the 1974 Louisiana Top Twenty high school basketball playoffs, Robey was described by Town Talk sports editor William F. "Bill" Carter as "the most awesome basketball player I have seen... Robey does it all... he has learned to shoot the basketball from any spot." [5]

Louisiana state championship and accolades

As a high school senior, Robey led the Brother Martin Crusaders to win the Louisiana Class AAAA basketball state championship 67-56 over district rival Holy Cross. Robey scored twice in the last 39 seconds of the game, earning a total of 21 points and 18 rebounds during the game. [6] Robey was voted Most Valuable Player of the state AAAA championship game. [2]

Robey was voted Most Valuable Player in Louisiana for scoring 51 points and 38 rebounds during the tournament by the reporters and broadcasters who covered the games. [7] [8] Robey was named the Top Twenty tournament's "Outstanding Player" by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. [9] Robey was a unanimous selection to the Louisiana All-State basketball team. [10]

National honors

In 1974 Robey was named to the All American Basketball Squad by Coach & Athlete magazine. [11] Robey was selected to the Orlando Sentinel's Dixie Dozen and All-Southern teams. [10]

Robey was named one of "The Nation's Top 25" high school basketball players by the St. Petersburg Times. [12]

Robey was also selected to All-Star teams by Basketball News, Basketball Weekly and Parade magazine as well as chosen for the Family Weekly College Coaches All-Future team, Sporting News "Super Twenty" team [13] and the Senior Scholastic All-American team. [14]

Collegiate prospect

Robey was chosen as one of 1974's "30 hottest college prospects" by five well regarded college basketball coaches. Coaches 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 selected Robey as one of the six most promising centers in America. [15]

Averaging 19.9 points and 15.9 rebounds per game as a high school senior, it was reported Robey had "college coaches drooling" over the prospect of recruiting him. [16]

Invitational tournament play

Kentucky Derby Classic

Robey was one of ten national high school basketball stars on the US All Stars team during the 1974 Kentucky Derby Classic held in Louisville, Kentucky's Freedom Hall on April 28, 1974. Robey's team competed against the Kentucky-Indiana team, which featured five Kentucky and five Indiana high school stars. Robey's team's coach was Paul Walker who had been voted 1974 National High School Basketball Coach of the Year. Walker said Robey was "an animal - he's so aggressive, he just beats the heck out of you". [17] Robey scored 16 points and made eight rebounds during the game. [18] Aware Robey would soon sign on at the University of Kentucky, the 14,000 plus fans gave Robey a ten-minute standing ovation when he was introduced. [19]

Capital Classic

Robey played against the Capital All-Stars team in the first Capital Classic along with his US All-Stars teammates Mike Phillips, Butch Lee and Moses Malone. The match-up, held in the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland drew a crowd of over 11,000 – an all-star attendance record at that time. Anticipating a small turnout, officials actually sold close to 7,000 walk-up tickets. The Beltway had a reported five-mile traffic backup, delaying the game for more than a half-hour. Malone and Robey combined for 14 points and 26 rebounds to lead the US All-Stars to a 101-82 victory. Capital All-Stars' Kenny Carr said of Malone and Robey “They just beat everybody in the head”. [20]

Louisiana All-Star Game

Although invited, Robey was not allowed to play in the 1974 Louisiana All-Star game due to a state rule that prohibited athletes from competing in more than one All-Star game. Robey had already participated in two and thus was ineligible to play. Tom Kolb, Robey's high school coach (who would have coached him in the All-Star game) defending Robey's decision to play in the other tournaments, saying "Can you blame him (Robey)? He wants to know how good he is and the only way he's gonna find out is to play against the best players in the nation. So that's what he did". [19]

Pan American Games

Robey won gold as a member of the 1975 Pan American Games when he was just 19. [21]

College career

A jersey honoring Robey hangs in Rupp Arena Rick-Robey-jersey.jpg
A jersey honoring Robey hangs in Rupp Arena

Robey, then ranked fifth in the nation, [22] estimated 210 college basketball programs had approached him to join their teams. The media closely followed Robey as he narrowed his choice of teams for his college basketball career. In early 1974, it was reported that Robey would choose either Tulane University, the University of Florida or the University of Kentucky. [2]

In April, 1974 Robey chose UK, accepting a scholarship offered by Coach Joe B. Hall. Hall also recruited Jack Givens, James Lee and Mike Phillips to 1974 UK lineup. Robey and Phillips were often referred to as "the Twin Towers" while playing together at UK. [23] Robey said his decision was influenced by Kentucky's love of basketball. "I felt the coaches here were really good people and of course the fans are tremendous". [24]

Coach Hall was pleased with Robey's performance at UK saying "...Rick is not the kind of guy who pouts. He took the elbows, smiled and learned his lessons". [25]

Robey was a member of UK's 1974-1975 team that was the 1975 NCAA Championship Runner Up and UK's 1977-1978 team that won the 1978 NCAA Championship.

1978 NCAA Championship

While Kentucky's 1978 championship 94-88 win against the Duke Blue Devils is often remembered for Jack Givens' 41-point outburst, Sports Illustrated magazine said Robey "made the most spectacular play of the game. With 7:39 to go, (UK Coach Joe B.) Hall charged onto the court during a brief stop in play to chide Robey for some indiscretion. Seconds later Robey responded by grabbing a missed shot and jamming it into the basket in one motion". During the championship game, Robey shot 8 of 11 from the floor, scored 20 points and led the team with 11 Kentucky rebounds. [26]

While a student at UK, Robey was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, along with fellow UK star Mike Phillips.

Professional career

Robey was the third overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft, selected by the Indiana Pacers. Halfway through his rookie season, Robey was traded to the Celtics for former ABA All-Star Billy Knight. [27]

Robey played eight seasons (1978–86) in the National Basketball Association. After being a member of 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 in his career and was a member of the 1981 Celtics championship team.

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1978–79 Indiana 43−19.7.475—.7445.91.20.60.38.6
Boston 36−25.4.481—.8167.22.20.60.112.4
1979–80 Boston 822723.4.521.000.6846.51.10.60.211.5
1980–81† Boston 82419.1.545.000.5744.81.50.50.29.0
1981–82 Boston 80414.8.493.000.5353.70.90.30.25.7
1982–83 Boston 59614.5.467—.5773.71.10.20.14.2
1983–84 Phoenix 61414.0.5451.000.6933.21.10.30.25.6
1984–85 Phoenix 4012.0.222—.5002.01.30.50.01.3
1985–86 Phoenix 46113.7.377.000.6883.21.30.40.13.8
Career4934617.9.501—.6504.71.20.40.27.6

Playoff statistics

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1980 Boston 9—16.8.453.000.5003.61.10.80.36.1
1981† Boston 17—15.6.432—.4573.50.70.10.35.1
1982 Boston 12—10.2.525—.7652.40.30.20.34.6
1983 Boston 5—5.8.000.000.5001.60.20.00.00.4
1984 Phoenix 10—4.3.438.000.5001.00.20.20.01.8
Career53—3.7.448.000.5382.60.50.20.24.1

Career after retirement from pro sports

Robey returned to the Louisville area after his pro career and became a real estate broker. [28] Robey now has his own real estate team at EXP Louisville [29]

Robey's son Sam played on the offensive line for the University of Florida football team. [30]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kentucky Colonels</span> American basketball team 1967-1976

The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA) for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky Colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did not join the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the 1976 ABA–NBA merger. The downtown Louisville Convention Center was the Colonels' venue for their first three seasons before moving to Freedom Hall for the remaining seasons, beginning with the 1970–71 schedule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wes Unseld</span> American basketball player and coach (1946–2020)

Westley Sissel Unseld Sr. was an American professional basketball player, coach and executive. He spent his entire National Basketball Association (NBA) career with the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets. Unseld played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals and was selected with the second overall pick by the Bullets in the 1968 NBA draft. He was named the NBA Most Valuable Player and NBA Rookie of the Year during his rookie season and joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only two players in NBA history to accomplish the feat. Unseld won an NBA championship with the Bullets in 1978, and the Finals MVP award to go with it. After retiring from playing in 1981, he worked with the Bullets/Wizards as a vice president, head coach, and general manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Issel</span> American basketball player, coach, executive

Daniel Paul Issel is an American former professional basketball player and coach. An outstanding collegian at the University of Kentucky, Issel was twice named an All-American en route to a school-record 25.7 points per game for his career. The American Basketball Association Rookie of the Year in 1971, he was a six-time ABA All-Star and a one-time NBA All-Star.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reece Gaines</span> American basketball player (born 1981)

Clifton Reece Gaines is an American former professional basketball player and former assistant coach at Austin Spurs. He is currently a video coordinator for Louisville.

Scott Anthony Padgett is a retired American professional basketball player and current assistant to the head coach for Mississippi State men's basketball. He was formerly the head coach at Samford University. He played for the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets, and Memphis Grizzlies.

Winston George Bennett III is an American former professional basketball player and coach.

The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team is the men's college basketball program representing the University of Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of NCAA Division I. The Cardinals have officially won two NCAA championships in 1980 and 1986 ; and have officially been to 8 Final Fours in 39 official NCAA tournament appearances while compiling 61 tournament wins.

Travis Grant is an American former basketball small forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Los Angeles Lakers. He also was a member of the San Diego Conquistadors, Kentucky Colonels, and Indiana Pacers in the American Basketball Association (ABA). He played college basketball at Kentucky State University.

The 1973–74 Kentucky Colonels season was their seventh in the American Basketball Association. The Colonels finished in second place in the ABA's Eastern Division. They met the Carolina Cougars in the Eastern Division Semifinals and swept them in 4 games. They met the eventual champion New York Nets in the Eastern Division Finals, where they lost. McCarthy was let go after this season.

Samuel Chestley Smith Sr. was an American professional basketball player who played four seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA). He played for the Minnesota Muskies, Kentucky Colonels, and Utah Stars from 1967 to 1971. Prior to turning professional, he was noted for being one of the first three African American basketball players at the University of Louisville. He later transferred to Kentucky Wesleyan College and helped the school win its first NCAA Division II championship in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Phillips (basketball)</span> American basketball player (1956–2015)

Michael Charles Phillips was an American professional basketball player. At a height of 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m), he played at the center position. He played professionally for eleven years in Spain, including six years in Spain's top-tier level league, the Liga ACB.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana–Kentucky rivalry</span> College sports rivalry

The Indiana–Kentucky rivalry is a college sports rivalry between the Indiana University Bloomington Hoosiers and the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The rivalry between these two schools, located about 180 miles (290 km) apart, dates to their first college football game in 1893, and has continued across all sports, with the men's basketball series gaining particular attention. The football game was previously played for a wooden Bourbon Barrel trophy, which was discontinued in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gorgui Dieng</span> Senegalese basketball player

Gorgui Sy Dieng is a Senegalese former professional basketball player currently working as a basketball operations representative with the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Spalding</span> American basketball player

Raymond Mark Spalding is an American professional basketball player for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for Louisville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Bassey</span> Nigerian basketball player (born 2000)

Charles A. Bassey is a Nigerian basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Nwora</span> American basketball player

Jordan Ifeanyi Nwora is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals. He plays internationally for the Nigeria men's national basketball team. Nwora won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 before being traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Johnson (basketball)</span> American professional basketball player

David Ricardo Johnson is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals, and was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft.

DeAndre Cortez "Pedro" Bradshaw is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Mad Ants of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels and the Bellarmine Knights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kianna Smith</span> American basketball player

Kianna Smith is an American-South Korean professional basketball free agent in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the California Golden Bears and the Louisville Cardinals. Smith graduated from Troy High School in Fullerton, California, where she was rated a five-star recruit by ESPN and earned McDonald's All-American honors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamarion Sharp</span> American basketball player

Jamarion Sharp is an American college basketball player for the Ole Miss of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He previously played for John A. Logan College and Western Kentucky. At 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m), he is the tallest current Division I player and is one of the tallest living humans.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Sullivan, Rick (June 19, 1974). "Huckleberry Rick". The Courier Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Fenlon, Dick (April 28, 1974). "Rick Robey's Hardest Task: Telling Florida He's UK Bound". The Courier Journal. Louisville, Kentucky.
  3. ↑ "Carter's Column: Russo a Temporary Spectator". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. March 12, 1972.
  4. ↑ "Andy Russo Kept Promise, Martin Back". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. March 6, 1973.
  5. ↑ "Rick Robey Most Awesome". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. March 8, 1974. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Robey Beats Young, Martin Wins Title". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. March 10, 1974. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  7. ↑ Rugg, Wally (March 11, 1974). "Martin's Robey Wins Top Twenty's MVP". The Shreveport Journal. Shreveport, Louisiana.
  8. ↑ "Rick Robey Top Player in State Basketball Meet". The Monroe News-Star. Monroe, Louisiana. March 11, 1974.
  9. ↑ "Robey Outstanding". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. March 11, 1974. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Robey Signing Completes Grand Slam". The Advocate-Messenger. Danville, Kentucky. May 5, 1974.
  11. ↑ "Robey, Gaudin on All-America". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. June 2, 1974. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Robey Pick on Top Twenty Five Cage Team". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. May 7, 1974. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Robey Signing Completes Grand Slam". The Advocate-Messenger. Danville, Kentucky. May 5, 1974. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  14. ↑ "The Mailbag: 'Poetic Justice' for Dilbeck, 'Raps' for Crum". The Courier Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. June 19, 1974. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  15. ↑ "College Coaches' "All-Future" Selections". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. December 2, 1973. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Martin Back in Power?". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. March 5, 1974. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Moses and Who's Who Cast Feature Derby Classic Tonight". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. April 28, 1974. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  18. ↑ Williams, Paul (April 29, 1974). "Kentucky, Indiana Stars Win". Messenger-Inquirer. Owensboro, Kentucky. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  19. 1 2 "Robey Bows Out of All-Star Game". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. August 2, 1974. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Holy Moses! Moses Malone Leads U.S. All-Stars in First Capital Classic". thecapitalclassic.com. The Capital Classic. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  21. ↑ "USA Men's World Invitational Tournament Team -- 1978". www.usab.com. USA Basketball. October 26, 2020. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  22. ↑ FitzMaurice, D. G. (June 23, 1974). "Sweet Music for UK Fans". Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington, Kentucky. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Mike Phillips, Half of Kentucky's 'Twin Towers' of Basketball, Dies at 59". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 28, 2015. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015.
  24. ↑ FitzMaurice, D. G. (June 16, 1974). "Recruiting and Rick Robey". Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington, Kentucky. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  25. ↑ Sullivan, Mike (December 10, 1974). "Connor Raises Roof in UK's 90-78 Victory". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  26. ↑ Keith, Larry (April 3, 1978). "The Cats Go Wild". Sports Illustrated. New York, New York: Time Life, Inc. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  27. ↑ Rick Robey Transactions
  28. ↑ Burnett, Stephen (March 31, 2012). "UK basketball: Where are they now? Rick Robey finds success in Ky. real estate". www.kyforward.com. KY Forward. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  29. ↑ KY (August 13, 2020). "EXP Realty Buying and Selling Louisville". Louisville KY. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  30. ↑ Rivals.com profile of Sam Robey
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.