Last Updated on December 25, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Here’s detailed information about Ralph Sampson:

  • Full Name: Ralph Lee Sampson Jr.
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on July 7, 1960
  • Hometown: Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA
  • Height: 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 meters)
  • Weight: 228 pounds (103 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 8 inches (2.34 meters)
  • Shoe Size: Size 17 (US)
  • Number: Wore 50 and 44 during his career
  • Position: Center / Power Forward
  • High School: Harrisonburg High School (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
  • College: University of Virginia (1979–1983)
    • 3× Naismith College Player of the Year (1981, 1982, 1983)
  • NBA Draft: 1983 (1st overall pick by the Houston Rockets)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Houston Rockets (1983–1988)
    • Golden State Warriors (1988–1989)
    • Sacramento Kings (1989–1990)
    • Washington Bullets (1991–1992)
    • Unicaja Ronda (Spain, briefly in 1992)
  • Championship Rings: None (but reached the NBA Finals in 1986 with the Houston Rockets)
  • Kids: 3 children, including Ralph Sampson III, who also played college basketball
  • Siblings: 2 siblings (a brother and a sister)

Ralph Sampson was one of the most highly touted prospects in NBA history, known for his incredible height, agility, and versatility. He was a four-time NBA All-Star and the 1984 NBA Rookie of the Year. Sampson is perhaps best remembered for his role in leading the Houston Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals, including a famous buzzer-beater that defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Unfortunately, his career was hampered by injuries, which limited his longevity and effectiveness. Despite these challenges, Sampson remains a legendary figure in basketball, particularly for his college career at the University of Virginia, where he was a three-time Naismith College Player of the Year.

Notes:

  • Ralph Sampson’s height with shoes is typically listed at 7 feet 5 inches (2.26 meters). Without shoes, he is officially measured at 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 meters).
  • Ralph Sampson’s playing weight during his NBA career was officially listed at 228 pounds (103 kg).
  • I watched every Houston Rockets game of the Tracy McGrady era. While spending my time with the Rockets, the impression was that Ralph Sampson played many seasons for the Rockets and not many for any other team. I was surprised to see how many years he did play for other teams. Sampson spent more time playing for other NBA teams than he did playing for the Rockets.
  • When Rockets fans think of Ralph Sampson, they usually think of one of the two players who made up the Twin Towers as they were nicknamed. That’s a reference to when Sampson played with Hakeem Olajuwon. The NBA may not have seen a stronger frontcourt than when Sampson and Olajuwon played together.