Bob played varsity basketball at Elgin High School in 1947-48 and 1948-49. He ranks in the top 15 in career scoring at the school with 791 points in 50 games (15.8 ppg). He led his team in scoring his senior season with an 18.4 points per game average which helped to earn Elgin a Sweet Sixteen berth. He was named to the Daily News All—State team his senior year. Bob played at the University of Illinois three seasons averaging 8.6 points per game in a 75-game career. He helped the Illini to third-place finishes in the NCAA Tournament in his sophomore and junior years and to the Big Ten Conference Championship both years. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 1951 and 1952.