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Sampson is known for being one of the top basketball players of the 1980s and one of the most recruited collegiate players of all time as the no. 1 draft pick in 1983. During his college career at the University of Virginia, 7’ 4” Sampson showed not only extreme agility for his height but also versatility, being one of the first centers to demonstrate all-court versatility. He helped lead the Cavaliers to win the 1980 National Invitation Tournament, followed by an appearance in the NCAA Final Four in 1981. He remains the only male player to have received the Wooden Award twice during his college career.
After college, he went on to play for the Houston Rockets, where he was named Rookie of the Year in 1983 and made his first of four All-Star appearances. It was with the Rockets that he played alongside Hakeem Olajuwon as one half of the nearly unstoppable “Twin Towers” duo. Later in his career he also played with the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Bullets. He retired from playing professional basketball in 1992 and was named to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
We’re thrilled Ralph will be joining ISM guests in advance of the NCAA Championship to share his experience in advance of the big game!