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History of the Cincinnati Royals

The Cincinnati Royals were one of the NBA's premier franchises from 1957 to 1972, serving as the bridge between the championship-winning Rochester Royals and the future Kansas City Kings and Sacramento Kings. Best remembered for the legendary career of Oscar Robertson, the Royals consistently ranked among the league's top teams during the 1960s. Although they never reached the NBA Finals while in Cincinnati, the franchise featured multiple Hall of Famers and helped shape the modern game of basketball.

Moving from Rochester to Cincinnati

After winning the 1951 NBA Championship and remaining competitive throughout the 1950s, the Rochester Royals struggled with declining attendance. Seeking a larger market, owner Les Harrison relocated the franchise to Cincinnati, Ohio, following the 1956–57 season.

The move brought NBA basketball to one of the Midwest's fastest-growing cities and gave the Royals a new opportunity to compete in a larger sports market.

The Arrival of Oscar Robertson

The defining moment in franchise history came when the Royals selected Oscar Robertson with the territorial pick in the 1960 NBA Draft.

A Cincinnati native and former University of Cincinnati star, Robertson immediately became one of the NBA's greatest players. During the 1961–62 season, he averaged a remarkable 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game, becoming the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double over an entire season.

Robertson's versatility revolutionized the point guard position and established him as one of basketball's all-time greats.

A Consistent Contender

Throughout the 1960s, the Royals regularly qualified for the NBA Playoffs.

The roster featured several outstanding players, including:

• Oscar Robertson
• Jerry Lucas
• Wayne Embry
• Jack Twyman
• Adrian Smith

The combination of Robertson and Lucas gave Cincinnati one of the NBA's strongest duos, but the Royals often found themselves competing against dynasties led by the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.

The Jerry Lucas Years

Hall of Fame forward Jerry Lucas joined the Royals in 1963 and quickly became one of the NBA's premier rebounders and scorers.

Lucas earned multiple All-Star selections while forming an outstanding partnership with Robertson. Despite their talent, postseason success remained elusive as the Celtics dominated the Eastern Division throughout the decade.

The End of an Era

By the late 1960s, financial challenges and declining attendance began affecting the franchise.

In 1970, the Royals traded Oscar Robertson to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he would help lead the team to the 1971 NBA Championship.

Following the 1971–72 season, the franchise relocated to Missouri, becoming the Kansas City-Omaha Kings.

Home Arena

Franchise Timeline

Franchise Greats

• Oscar Robertson
• Jerry Lucas
• Wayne Embry
• Jack Twyman
• Adrian Smith
• Tom Van Arsdale
• Connie Dierking

Notable Coaches

• Jack McMahon
• Bob Cousy
• Ed Jucker

Awards and Achievements

• Multiple NBA playoff appearances.
• Oscar Robertson became the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season (1961–62).
• Featured multiple Hall of Fame players.
• One of the NBA's strongest teams throughout the 1960s.

Legacy

The Cincinnati Royals played a vital role in NBA history by showcasing one of basketball's greatest players in Oscar Robertson. His revolutionary all-around style of play changed the point guard position forever and inspired generations of future stars.

Although the Royals never captured an NBA championship in Cincinnati, they consistently fielded competitive teams and featured Hall of Fame talent throughout the 1960s. The franchise's relocation to Kansas City in 1972 marked the beginning of another chapter in a basketball lineage that continues today with the Sacramento Kings.