It was Robertson who, along with guys like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, who set the tone, who didn't just star but paved the way.

Robertson would go from famed Crispus Attucks High School (Trivia: The now-famous David-Goliath saga played out in the 1986 movie "Hoosiers" is really Milan beating Crispus Attucks in 1954) in Indianapolis to the University of Cincinnati to the NBA. While Jordan and James came along in an era of intense media coverage and fan engagement, Robertson and his peers toiled in barns like the Cleveland Arena on Euclid Avenue.

Robertson was, by far, one of the select individuals signing autographs at the National Sports Collectors Convention - even in a group that included dozens of hall of famers in multiple sports. He is working with Lelands sports-memorabilia auction house to items like a 1971 NBA championship ring with Milwaukee, awards, jerseys and plaques.

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