Ralph Sampson
Birth Name:
Ralph Lee Sampson
Birth Place:
Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States
Fast Facts
- Was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- While attending the University of Virginia, he was a Naismith College Player of the Year three times
- The Houston Rockets drafted him first overall in 1983
- Quote: "When you start looking back at things, you really see the impact that my career, my life had on the game of basketball, and not just basketball, but kids and people around the world․"
- Helped redefine the post position in basketball with his open-court versatility, speed, rebounding and shooting ability
- Spent his first four years in the NBA playing for the Houston Rockets, then continued with the Golden State Warriors, the Sacramento Kings and the Washington Bullets
- Went on to play for Spain and in the CBA after leaving the NBA