Ralph Sampson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Before arriving in Texas, Sampson was a three-time college national player of the year at Virginia, setting records that seemed impossible to break. His transition to the NBA brought immediate stardom, earning him Rookie of the Year honors while anchoring the Rockets' offense and defense. The pairing with Hakeem Olajuwon created a defensive wall that terrified opposing teams across the league. In 1984–85, the Rockets improved by 19 games to 48–34, and Sampson averaged 22.1 points and 10.4 rebounds, earning a berth on the All-NBA Second Team. On March 5, 1985, in a loss against the Denver Nuggets, Sampson recorded 30 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals, the first player in NBA history to do so since the league started recording steals. The mid-eighties saw Houston reach the NBA Finals in 1986, though victory ultimately eluded them during Sampson's tenure. In Game 5 of the Conference Finals against the defending champion Lakers, with the score tied at 112 and only one second remaining, Sampson took an inbounds pass and launched a twisting turnaround jumper that bounced twice and went through the hoop at the buzzer, giving the Rockets a 114–112 victory and a shocking series upset. Despite the heartbreak of the Finals loss to the Boston Celtics, the synergy between the two centers changed how the center position was viewed in basketball history. In 1987, Sampson signed a $14.4 million contract for six years with the Rockets, but on February 4, 1987, he suffered a major cartilage tear in his left knee against the Denver Nuggets. He had arthroscopic surgery and rushed his rehab to make it back for the playoffs, a decision he has stated his regret over. Injured nineteen games into the 1987–88 season, Sampson fell out of favor with Rockets coach Bill Fitch and was traded on December 12, 1987, to the Golden State Warriors.

In Their Own Story

The Astrodome hummed with anticipation under the bright arena lights. It was Game 5 of the 1986 Western Conference Finals against the defending champion Lakers. Hakeem Olajuwon had been ejected. With the score tied at 112 and only one second remaining on the clock, Sampson caught an inbounds pass near the baseline, his massive 7-foot-4 frame silhouetted against the scoreboard. He didn't rush; he launched a twisting turnaround jumper that bounced twice on the rim, silence falling over the crowd before the ball went through the hoop at the buzzer, giving the Rockets a 114–112 victory and a shocking series upset. Boston sportswriters were not happy about not getting revenge against the Lakers who had beaten the Celtics in the Finals the year before, but the matchup was interesting with the young frontcourt challenging the old guard of the Celtics. In Game 5 of the Finals in Houston, Sampson succumbed to taunting by Boston's much smaller 6-foot-1 backup guard Jerry Sichting, resulting in Sampson taking a swing and earning an ejection from the game. Strangely, this fired up the Rockets, who won Game 5 by 15 points without him thanks to the inspired play of Olajuwon, Jim Petersen, and Robert "Bobby Jo" Reid.

Reader's Guide

Ralph Sampson joined the Houston Rockets as the number one overall pick in the 1983 NBA draft, immediately elevating the franchise's stature. Standing seven feet four inches tall, he possessed a rare combination of size and finesse uncommon for centers of his era. As a rookie, he averaged 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds, played in the All-Star Game, and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. His tenure defined the early years of the iconic Twin Towers partnership alongside Hakeem Olajuwon, whom the Rockets selected first overall in the 1984 NBA draft. Many observers criticized the Rockets' choice, believing the two 7-footers would not be effective playing together, while others thought the combination could be overpowering. At the time, Dallas Mavericks Coach Dick Motta said, "That front line, when history is written when they've grown up, might be the best-assembled on one team. Ever." Houston guard John Lucas said of Sampson's move to forward, "He'll revolutionize the game."

Sampson was known for his fundamental passing ability, soft touch around the rim, and defensive presence that anchored the paint. In 1984–85, he had his best individual campaign, averaging 22.1 points and 10.4 rebounds and earning a berth on the All-NBA Second Team. He and Olajuwon both played in the 1985 NBA All-Star Game, and Sampson, after scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, earned the game's MVP Award. While injuries eventually hampered his availability, he remained a cornerstone of the team throughout the mid-eighties. He made the All-Star team in the 1986–87 season, but he played in just 43 games that year. His legacy remains tied to the hope and excitement he brought to the Astrodome basketball arena. Though a championship eluded him with Houston, his influence on the center position is undeniable.

Did You Know?

• Sampson was the first player in NBA history to record at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a game since the league started recording steals, doing so on March 5, 1985, against the Denver Nuggets.
• In Game 5 of the 1986 Western Conference Finals, with the score tied at 112 and only one second remaining, Sampson hit a twisting turnaround jumper at the buzzer to give the Rockets a 114–112 victory over the defending champion Lakers.
• Sampson signed a $14.4 million contract for six years with the Rockets in 1987.
• On February 4, 1987, Sampson suffered a major cartilage tear in his left knee against the Denver Nuggets, which happened when his right foot slipped due to remnants of solvent used to clean scuffs on the court by a drill team.
• Sampson was a three-time college national player of the year at Virginia, only the second athlete to do so after Bill Walton.