Ralph Sampson

Ralph Sampson
	Sampson in 2024
Personal information
Born	July 7, 1960 (age 64); Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S.
Listed height	7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
Listed weight	228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school	Harrisonburg (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
College	Virginia (1979–1983)
NBA draft	1983: 1st round, 1st overall pick
	Selected by the Houston Rockets
Playing career	1983–1995
Position	Center / power forward
Number	50
Career history
As player:
1983–1987	Houston Rockets
1987–1989	Golden State Warriors
1989–1991	Sacramento Kings
1991–1992	Washington Bullets
1992	Unicaja Ronda
1994–1995	Rockford Lightning
As coach:
1992–1993	James Madison (assistant)
1999–2000	Richmond Rhythm
2012–2013	Phoenix Suns (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
	4× NBA All-Star (1984–1987); NBA All-Star Game MVP (1985); All-NBA Second Team (1985); NBA Rookie of the Year (1984); NBA All-Rookie Team (1984); 3× National college player of the year (1981–1983); 3× Consensus first-team All-American (1981–1983); 3× ACC Player of the Year (1981–1983); 3× First-team All-ACC (1981–1983); ACC Rookie of the Year (1980); No. 50 retired by Virginia Cavaliers; First-team Parade All-American (1979);
Career NBA statistics
Points	7,039 (15.4 ppg)
Rebounds	4,011 (8.8 rpg)
Blocks	752 (1.6 bpg)
	Stats at NBA.com
	Stats at Basketball Reference
	Basketball Hall of Fame
	Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
Representing United States
Men's basketball
Pan American Games

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.