About Ralph Sampson
About Ralph Sampson
Ralph Sampson
At a young age, Sampson learned both the importance of teamwork and leadership, as he led his high school basketball team to three state championships.
After high school, 7’4” Sampson went on to the University of Virginia where he posted an impressive 123-22 record, won a championship, and was voted National Player of the Year in three of his four seasons.
Sampson was selected by the Houston Rockets as the Number One pick in the NBA Draft. As a rookie, he averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds and won the NBA Rookie of the Year. A five-time All Star during his career with the Rockets, he led his team to the NBA Finals in 1986. He went on to play for the Golden State Warriors and completed his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings. He has been inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
Collegiate Career at University of Virginia
Final Four in 1981
Final Eight 1983
3-time Naismith National Player of the Year
Professional Career
#1 Overall NBA Draft Pick 1983
NBA Rookie of the Year 1983
NBA Finals 1986
5-time NBA All Star
Halls of Fame
1996 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
2011 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
2012 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Ralph Sampson III
Ralph Sampson III attended Northview High School in John Creek, Georgia. As a senior, he averaged 19.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.0 blocks per game in leading Northview to its first state tournament appearance and a 21-9 record.
After High School Ralph III attended the University Minnesota started every Big Ten Conference game, helping the Gophers earn an NCAA tournament bid, and finished second on the team in both rebounds and blocked shots per game. Sampson started at forward and center in his sophomore and junior seasons for the Gophers and saw his minutes, points, and blocks per game increase each year.