He played collegiately for the Rice Owls from 1955 to 1959, where he led the team in scoring during his junior and senior seasons.

[1] He was considered the Owls' biggest asset during his senior season due to his great agility for his size.

[1] Robitaille was selected in the 1959 NBA draft as the 7th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons as part of a trade deal with the Cincinnati Royals for Phil Jordon.

[4] Robitaille was "sought by at least six clubs" at the time of the draft but he ultimately never played in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

[4] In 1959, he played for the United States in a series of six exhibition games against a team from the Soviet Union.