Ralph Lee Sampson Jr. is a retired American basketball player. The 7'3'' tall player won the title of College Player of the Year three times. He was born on July 7, 1960, to his father, Sr. Ralph Sampson, and mother, Sarah Sampson, and grew up along with his siblings in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Ralph was already 6'7'' while he was in ninth grade and 7'1'' in his high school. His height became a benefit to his professional career as he became a basketball player. He attended the University of Virginia where he won Naismith College Player of the Year three times. Regarding his ethnicity and Nationality, he is an African-American.
Firstly, Ralph started his career with the Houston Rockets in the 1983 NBA draft. At that time, he scored the average points of 21.0 and 11.1 rebounds as a rookie.
The tall player won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award after playing in the All-Star Game. With a rise in fame, Sampson changed his position and began to play as a forwarder in 1984.
In 1985 NBA's tallest player of the time, Ralph became the first player in the history of NBA to score 30 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals in just one match. During the match against the Lakers Sampson.
In the fifth game of a five-game series NBL player, Lee Sampson broke a 112-112 tie with a jumper that sailed through the hoop at the buzzer which was one of the most memorable wins in the NBA Playoff history. The NBA star, Ralph got retired from his NBL career in 1995.
During his professional career at NBL, Ralph earned wide recognition and several awards for his outstanding game performances. He was awarded Naismith College Player of the year, Adolph Rupp Trophy, UPI Player of the Year in 1981, John R. Wooden Award, NABC Player of the Year in 1982, NBA Rookie of the year, NBA All-Rookie Team, NBA All-star in 1984, and much more.
He has played for a total of 6 NBA teams during his professional career as a player. Similarly, as a coach/coach assistant, he has managed three clubs, James Madison, Richmond Rythm, and Phoenix Suns.
In his full career, the retired basketball player has more than 7000 points, 4000 rebounds, and 1000 assists. He has also represented his country in the Pan American Games.
Looking at his personal life, Sampson married his long-term girlfriend, Aleize Sampson in 1986. The couple gave birth to a son Robert and two daughters Rachel Lee Sampson and Anna Aleize Sampson. After twenty-six years of married relationship, Ralph and Aleize divorced in 2003 due to irreconcilable differences.
The retired basketball player earned a good sum of money from his professional career. He has played several matches during his NBA career through which he received wide recognition as well as wealth. It is estimated that his current net worth is around $6 Million by which he finances his living.
