Ralph Sampson

Ralph Sampson
Sampson in 2024
Personal information
Born (1960-07-07) July 7, 1960 (age 64)
Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S.
Listed height7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
Listed weight228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High schoolHarrisonburg (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
CollegeVirginia (1979–1983)
NBA draft1983: 1st round, 1st overall pick
Selected by the Houston Rockets
Playing career1983–1995
PositionCenter / power forward
Number50
Career history
As player:
19831987Houston Rockets
19871989Golden State Warriors
19891991Sacramento Kings
1991–1992Washington Bullets
1992Unicaja Ronda
1994–1995Rockford Lightning
As coach:
1992–1993James Madison (assistant)
1999–2000Richmond Rhythm
2012–2013Phoenix Suns (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points7,039 (15.4 ppg)
Rebounds4,011 (8.8 rpg)
Blocks752 (1.6 bpg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Basketball Hall of Fame
Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
Medals
Representing  United States
Men's basketball
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1979 San Juan Team competition

Ralph Lee Sampson Jr. (born July 7, 1960) is an American former professional basketball player. He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. A 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) phenom, three-time college national player of the year, and first overall selection in the 1983 NBA draft, Sampson brought heavy expectations with him to the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The NBA Rookie of the Year, Sampson averaged 20.7 points and 10.9 rebounds for his first three seasons with the Houston Rockets before injuries began to take their toll. Three knee surgeries later, after 12 seasons in professional basketball, he retired in 1995 as a four-time NBA All-Star and the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 1985 NBA All-Star Game.