Category: Athlete Appearances, Basketball, Hall of Famers, Speakers for $10,000 and Under
Highlights: Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson played in the NBA from 1983-1992 and is best remembered for his time with the Houston Rockets. He also enjoyed a legendary college career at the U. of Virginia.
Travels From: Virginia
Fee Range: $5,001 - $10,000
Ralph Sampson played as a center/forward in the NBA from 1983-1992 with the Houston Rockets (1983-1987), Golden State Warriors (1987-1989), Sacramento Kings (1989-1991) and Washington Bullets (1991-1992). He became a member of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2012 and College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. He was named in 2002 to the ACC’s 50th Anniversary Men’s Basketball Team along with other greats such as Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, Christian Laettner, James Worthy and David Thompson.
Sampson broke into the NBA with a bang in 1983-1984, starting all 82 games for Houston and averaging a double-double of 21 points and 11.1 rebounds per contest, earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors as well as a place on the All-Rookie Team. His rookie campaign kicked off a four-year stretch through 1987 where he was named an All-Star in every season. In 1985, Sampson was named to the All-NBA Second Team and also earned NBA All-Star Game MVP honors. For the year, he recorded a 22.1 point and 10.4 rebound average per game. In 1985-1986, Sampson was solid again, averaging 18.9 points per game and leading Houston to the NBA Finals, where the Rockets were defeated by Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics.
Sampson enjoyed a celebrated college career at Virginia. He earned a long list of impressive accolades during his three seasons with the Cavaliers from 1981-1983, each year being named Naismith College Player of the Year, Associated Press Player of the Year and ACC Player of the Year. Similarly, the National Association of Basketball Coaches named him Player of the Year in 1982 and 1983 and he also captured the John R. Wooden Award both years. Sampson, after his playing days, served as an assistant coach with James Madison University and worked for the Phoenix Suns on its player development staff. Sampson was born on July 7, 1960 in Harrisonburg, VA.
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