Classic Photos of Ralph Sampson

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Apr 4, 2012

Classic Photos of Ralph Sampson

Bobby Knight and Ralph Sampson

On Monday it was announced that Ralph Sampson will be enshrined into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2012, joining Jamaal Wilkes, Reggie Miller, Don Nelson, Katrina McClain, Mel Daniels and Hank Nichols. In honor of this achievement, SI has collected some classic photos of Sampson through the years including this shot of the center with Coach Bobby Knight at the 1979 Pan Am Games.

Mark Aguirre, Ralph Sampson and Albert King

Sampson (middle) joins DePaul's Mark Aguirre and Maryland's Albert King in donning Revolutionary War clothing for a 1980 SI photo shoot.

James Worthy and Ralph Sampson

North Carolina forward James Worthy drives to the basket on Sampson during the 1981 Final Four.

Ralph Sampson and Danny Ainge

BYU guard Danny Ainge tries to block Sampson from receiving a post pass during a 1981 tournament game.

Ralph Sampson and Patrick Ewing

Sampson and Georgetown center Patrick Ewing battle for position in the paint.

Ralph Sampson

Sampson holds a Houston Rockets uniform after he was selected No. 1 overall during the 1983 NBA Draft.

Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon

A year after Sampson was taken first overall, the Rockets again chose a big man with the top pick. The team selected Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon and the two (nicknamed The Twin Towers) quickly became one of the most imposing frontlines in the NBA.

Slam Dunk Contestants

Sampson poses with fellow slam dunk participants Edgar Jones, Larry Nance, Orlando Woolridge, Dominique Wilkins, Darrell Griffith, Julius Erving, Michael Cooper and Clyde Drexler.

Ralph Sampson, Hakeem Olajuwon and Magic Johnson

Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon just miss blocking a shot by Magic Johnson during a 1984 Rockets-Lakers game.

Ralph Sampson

Sampson uses all of his 7-foot-4 frame to put back a rebound during a 1985 Celtics-Rockets game.

Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon

The Twin Towers -- Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon -- pose in front of the real Twin Towers for a 1986 SI photo shoot.

Rockets and Celtics

Kevin McHale shoots over Sampson during Game 1 of the 1986 NBA Finals.

Ralph Sampson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Sampson gets position on Kareem Abdul Jabbar during a 1987 Warriors-Lakers game. Sampson was traded to the Warriors midway through the 1986-87 season.

Ralph Sampson

Sampson grabs a rebound during a 1988 game against his former team, the Rockets.

Ralph Sampson and Patrick Ewing

Sampson was traded to the Kings after the 1988-89 season. In this photo, Sampson is swatted by his old college nemesis Patrick Ewing.

Ralph Sampson

Sampson uses his length to keep the ball away from a group of children during a 2002 SI photo shoot.

Ralph Sampson

Sampson talks to a player in the NBA Top 100 Camp in Richmond, Va. Sampson was brought in to instruct some of the nation's top high school big men in playing the low post.

2012 Hall of Fame Inductees

Sampson poses with fellow 2012 Hall of Fame inductees Mel Daniels, Phil Knight, Chet Walker, Katrina McClain, Tammy Harrison, Reggie Miller, Don Nelson, Hank Nicholls and Jamaal Wilkes.