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Former Virginia Star Ralph Sampson Elected To Basketball Hall Of Fame

Former University of Virginia star Ralph Sampson was one of twelve honorees voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

By Samuel Chamberlain
Feb 28, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets former player Ralph Sampson smiles at fans during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US Presswire
Feb 28, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets former player Ralph Sampson smiles at fans during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US Presswire
Presswire

Former University of Virginia star Ralph Sampson was one of twelve honorees voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The announcement was made Monday afternoon following the Hall of Fame's Honors Committee meeting in New Orleans.

Sampson spent four seasons at the University of Virginia and led the Cavaliers to the Final Four in 1981. For his career, Sampson averaged 16.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per year in Charlottesville and was only the third player to win the National College Player of the Year Award three times.

Drafted by the Houston Rockets with the first overall pick in 1983, Sampson went on to play four full seasons for Houston before being traded to Golden State during the 1987-88 season. Sampson also played for the Sacramento Kings and the Washington Bullets before retiring following the 1991-92 season.

Joining Sampson in the Hall's Class of 2012 are former NBA players Reggie Miller, Don Nelson, Jamaal Wilkes, Chet Walker, Mel Daniels, and Don Barksdale; longtime referee Hank Nichols; Nike chairman Phil Knight; longtime Soviet women's national team coach Lidia Alexeeva; U.S. Olympian Katrina McClain; and women's barnstorming team All-American Red Heads.

The induction ceremonies will take place September 7 in Springfield, Mass.