Robert graduated from Colbert County High School in Leighton. A gifted basketball player, he was selected All-Area, All-Region, and All-State as an Indian. He averaged 21 points per game during his junior season and 26 in his senior year. In 1965 he scored 62 points in a game against Cherokee, which is still a school record. Following high school he signed a scholarship to play for Athens State College. Robert averaged 15 points per season and made the Southern States All-Conference Team. Even though he was a basketball star in high school and college Robert was signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints of the NFL in 1974.