High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Ralph Lee Sampson, Jr. (born July 7, 1960 in Harrisonburg, Virginia) is a retired American college and professional basketball player. A 7-foot-4 phenom, three-time College Player of the Year, and No. 1 pick in the 1983 NBA Draft, Sampson brought heavy expectations with him to the NBA. The NBA Rookie of the Year, Sampson averaged 20.7 points and 10.9 rebounds for his first three seasons with the Houston Rockets before injuries began to take their toll.