Sports success came early and often for Robey, first as a New Orleanian who experienced a city basketball championship as a member of the Karr Junior High team and later as a starting all-state center at Brother Martin when the Crusaders were Class 4A state champions in 1974.
For good measure, his name still resides on the roster of the Boston Celtics, who were champions of the NBA in 1981, defeating the Houston Rockets. His pro career ended in 1986, the last time the Celtics were NBA champs. Robey played professional basketball for eight seasons, including stints with the Indiana Pacers and the Phoenix Suns. He was the No. 3 pick in the 1978 draft.
Robey offers a succinct explanation for this wealth of winning.
"I was fortunate enough to always be surrounded by good players," he says.
Fortunate or not, the layers of success in Robey's career have earned him selection by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association into the Louisiana Sports Fall of Fame. He and seven other state sports greats will be enshrined Saturday night, as the culmination of the Induction Celebration in Natchitoches.
Robey lived briefly in Lexington following his retirement from basketball competition before moving to Louisville. In addition to selling houses, he is overseeing the construction of a new one.
"I've been with ReMax for 17 years," Robey says. "I like it because it is a people business."
The remainder of his time is spent doting over his 16-year-old son, Sam, who was a first-team all-state football linemen as a junior at Louisville's Trinity High. Sam also plays basketball.
Robey's passion for basketball spilled over to thoroughbreds in the Blue Grass State. He and renowned trainer D. Wayne Lucas share ownership of some horses and Robey has tabbed Lucas to present him at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday.
When Robey attended Karr, the West Bank junior high was primarily a feeder school for O.P. Walker. But Robey had Brother Martin, Newman and De La Salle set in his sights as his three finalists.
Under coach Tom Kolb, the Crusaders captured the 1974 state title at Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, defeating Holy Cross and its 6-10 center Felton Young 67-56. Robey, who averaged 19.2 points per game, was selected the all-metro and all-state MVP for the Crusaders who were 33-5.
"It was a big difference for me, leaving a public school," Robey said. "But it was a smart move.
"Going to Martin enabled me to pick any college I wanted and that was not just because of basketball. The school taught me discipline, which helped me later on, not only in sports."
During his senior year, Robey deflected the majority of the recruiting crush to his late father Fred.
"My dad did a great job because he insulated me from most of it," said Robey. "I narrowed my final three schools to Notre Dame, Kentucky and Florida, which was my dad's alma mater."
The Wildcats had already signed Jack Givens, who would be the MVP of the 1978 NCAA Tournament, and Mike Phillips who would become a 6-foot-10 complement to Robey.
"The situation could not have been better," said Robey. "Jack and Mike were already signed. I made my decision and never looked back. It was the right move. It looked like we would be a strong senior class."
It was but earlier than perhaps thought.
The Wildcats reached the NCAA finals the next season, losing to UCLA in legendary coach John Wooden's final game on the bench.
An NIT championship victory in New York the next season against North Carolina-Charlotte preceded by two years an NCAA title-game victory against Duke in the Final Four in St. Louis. Spurred by an exceptional effort from Givens, Kentucky downed the Blue Devils 94-88 for Kentucky fifth NCAA title. A two-time All-American, Robey's No. 53 hangs in Rupp Arena as a retired jersey.
Robey has designated a room his new home for his trophies and memorabilia. He keeps his wealth of championship rings in a safe.
"I very seldom wear them," he said. "I would probably lose 'em."
He estimates he has returned to the Crescent City "about 20 times" since his Kentucky graduation. He did feel the effects of Hurricane Katrina in that he helped provide and find housing in Louisville for friends and relatives.
"I have not been there since the storm," he said. "I can only imagine how bad it was."
Robey said he somewhat keep tabs on his prep alma mater, a two-time state champion in 2004 and 2005 whose roster was gutted by the storm.
"I knew they had a real good guard (Texas signee D.J. Augustin)," he said.
Robey said his fondest professional memory centered on his association with the Celtics.
"To win a world title with players such as Larry Bird and Kevin McHale and Robert Parish was something. Boston was a lot like Kentucky. Both had tradition and both had fantastic support.
"It is nice to be remembered in the place where I grew up and learned to play the game," he said of his selection into the Hall of Fame. "It is very special and I am looking forward to it.
"When I look back," he said of his many successes. "I feel blessed every day I wake up."
