Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Dave Robisch carved out a long and reliable NBA career through fundamentally sound play, dependable scoring, and a willingness to do the little things that helped his teams compete. A skilled forward with a polished offensive game, he earned the respect of coaches and teammates by consistently providing stability and professionalism across more than a decade in the league.

Here’s detailed information about Dave Robisch:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: David George Robisch
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born December 22, 1949
  • Hometown: Peoria, Illinois
  • Height: 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 meters)
  • Weight: 232 pounds (105 kilograms)
  • Position: Power forward / Center
  • High School: Springfield High School, Springfield, Illinois
  • College: University of Kansas (1967–1971)
  • NBA Draft: 1971, 3rd round, 44th overall pick by the Boston Celtics
  • ABA Teams Played For:
    • Denver Rockets (1971–1975)
    • San Diego Sails (1975)
    • Indiana Pacers (1975–1976)
  • NBA Teams Played For:
    • Indiana Pacers (1976)
    • Los Angeles Lakers (1976–1977)
    • Denver Nuggets (1977–1980, 1981–1984)
    • Utah Jazz (1980–1981)
    • Kansas City Kings (1984)
  • Siblings: He has a brother named Randy Robisch, who also played basketball collegiately.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Dave Robisch’s player archetype was that of a skilled interior workhorse: a fundamentally sound big man who could function at either center or power forward, rebound his position, and provide steady scoring without needing an offense built around him. Defensively, he fit as a physical frontcourt presence who used size, strength, and positioning to battle on the glass and hold ground inside rather than erase plays as a pure shot-blocking anchor. Offensively, Robisch operated as a reliable interior option and secondary scorer, finishing around the basket, working from the post, and keeping possessions moving with simple, efficient decisions. Physically, he brought legit size at 6-foot-10 and 235 pounds, giving him the frame to absorb contact and survive the bruising interior style of the ABA and NBA in the 1970s and early 1980s. His overall play style was steady, rugged, and team-oriented: a dependable big who blended rebounding, inside scoring, and low-maintenance toughness.

Scouting Report

The first thing you notice about Dave Robisch is that his game was built around positioning and timing rather than trying to overwhelm opponents physically. He was a big man who understood where advantages developed before they became obvious, especially as a screener, rebounder and interior finisher. Robisch was comfortable operating from the elbows, setting strong picks and finding ways to stay involved without needing constant touches. In an era where post play was often the centre of offence, he gave teams a dependable option who could score with either hand around the basket, use a soft jumper and make himself available when guards created defensive rotations. His value came from knowing how to occupy space. A well-timed seal after a defensive switch or a quick dive out of a pick-and-roll could create more damage than a complicated move. Defensively, he was a disciplined frontcourt player who relied on angles, strength and anticipation. He wasn’t a player who erased mistakes with overwhelming athleticism, but he understood positioning in the paint, helped close driving lanes and competed for rebounds by reading the flight of the ball rather than simply chasing them. The trade-off was that he could be challenged by more explosive bigs who forced him to defend farther away from the basket. His ideal role was as a reliable interior presence next to a more dynamic offensive creator, giving a team a smart screener, rebounder and low-maintenance scoring option. There are elements of Bill Laimbeer in the way he blended toughness with a reliable offensive skill set, while his steady approach also resembles the role Al Horford has filled in a different era. Robisch was not defined by highlight plays; he was the kind of big man who understood the small details that keep an offence functioning and a defence organised.

Fun Facts

  • He was an ABA All-Star in 1973.
  • Played 13 seasons between the ABA and NBA, with consistent production as a role player.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Dave Robisch Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
NBA.com — Dave Robisch | Center | Denver Nuggets
Sports Reference — Dave Robisch College Stats