While starring at the University of Cincinnati, Oscar Robertson was the first player ever to win national College Player of the Year honors three times, beginning with his sophomore season in 1957-58. (Freshmen were not then eligible for varsity competition.) See the "Career Statistics" page in this section for more details.

In 1959, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association began selecting a men’s College Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. Robertson won the USBWA honor in 1959 and 1960.

Effective with the 1998 season, the USBWA Men’s College Player of the Year award was renamed the Oscar Robertson Trophy. The presentation takes place prior to the NCAA Men's Final Four and is nationally televised.

Winners of The Oscar Robertson Trophy since the award was renamed have been:*

• 1998: Antwan Johnson, University of North Carolina
• 1999: Elton Brand, Duke University
• 2000: Kenyon Martin, University of Cincinnati
• 2001: Shane Battier, Duke University
• 2002: Jason Williams, Duke University
• 2003: David West, Xavier University
• 2004: Jameer Nelson, St Joseph’s University

Jason Williams becomes the third Oscar Robertson Trophy winner from Duke University and the sixth USBWA Player of the Year from Duke.

Kenyon Martin was the first University of Cincinnati player to win the award since The Big O himself last won in 1960.

*For a complete list of USBWA award winners, go to http://www.usbwa.com.