Ralph Sampson

Born July 7, 1960, in Harrisonburg, Virginia,  Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Center, Ralph Sampson. Ralph was an NBA All-Star 1984–87; playing for the Golden State Warriors, and the Houston Rockets. Sampson was a 7-foot-4-inch ( phenom, three-time college national player of the year at the University of Virginia, and first overall selection in the 1983 NBA draft. The NBA Rookie of the Year, Sampson averaged 20.7 points and 10.9 rebounds for his first three seasons with the Houston Rockets. Hampered by injuries for a few seasons he enjoyed a fruitful NBA career. When 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.

Calling all Hoops fans! Prepare to step onto the hallowed court of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Over the next series of posts, we'll be honoring the elite few, the immortals who have carved their names into the very fabric of the sport.

These are the players – the sky-walking slam dunkers, the silky smooth shooters, the defensive titans – whose brilliance, dedication, and impact on the game have earned them a place among basketball royalty. The few legendary players of thousands that are held in such high esteem that they are forever remembered in the museum of basketball greats.

From the pioneers who laid the groundwork on dusty playgrounds to the modern marvels redefining the game on the global stage, the Hall of Fame boasts a pantheon of legends. We'll delve into their remarkable stories and bios.