THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 4, 1996 TAG: 9605040523
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
Ralph Sampson looked as if he were ready to get back on the basketball court Friday.
In black tennis shoes and gray sweat pants, the only thing Sampson seemed to lack was a jersey.
But in Sampson's case, appearances were deceiving.
``I don't miss (the NBA) at all,'' he said prior to donning a suit and tie for his induction into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
``I usually go to sleep (watching) the games these days. I don't have any desire anymore to go back to play or try to play.''
A year ago, the former University of Virginia standout and top NBA draft pick by the Houston Rockets in 1983 had a burning desire to return to the hardwood.
After tryouts with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls, Sampson landed briefly with the Phoenix Suns.
``I stayed with Phoenix for about six to eight months on their inactive roster,'' the Harrisonburg native said. ``It didn't pan out there . . . and I end up retiring.''
He retired from a sport that brought him a state Group AA high school championship, three consecutive college player-of-the-year honors, a nine-year NBA career and a one-year stint as an assistant coach at James Madison.
But those are things of the past and Sampson has accepted the status of ``retired basketball player.''
``I'm retired from active basketball playing, but I'm involved now in new business ventures that are much more intriguing with less wear and tear on the body,'' Sampson said.
Those ventures include real estate and Sampson Sportswear Inc., which he operates with his wife Aleize in Richmond. And while those endeavors provide income, they probably would not interfere with him getting back on the sidelines.
``I would like to coach again,'' the 7-foot-4 Sampson said. ``I love the college game and I would love to stay in the state of Virginia and coach.
``I think I could do a lot of good things in the state, so when the opportunity comes, we'll do it.''
For now, he sits back in his easy chair - sometimes dozing off - and marvels in the feats of his former NBA team and teammate, the Rockets and Hakeem Olajuwon.
``I am most of all appreciative and happy that he's able to accomplish some of the things he's accomplished,'' Sampson said of the two-time world champions' center.
``I always thought he was probably the best center of the league . . . and now it's being proven.''
Sampson was one of six inductees into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame this year.
The others were former Old Dominion women's basketball star Anne Donovan; golfer Lanny Wadkins, a Richmond native; former Clintwood High coach Ralph Cummins, the state's all-time leader in football victories; Dr. Caroline Sinclair, a pioneer in women's college athletics at William and Mary; and George Lacy, now deceased, a three-sport star at the University of Richmond and Boston Red Sox catcher.
Wadkins, a member of the PGA Tour, is the first active athlete to be inducted into the hall. Until this year, membership was limited to athletes or coaches who were retired for five years. ILLUSTRATION: GARY C. KNAPP photo
Former NBA and University of Virginia standout Ralph Sampson was one
of six Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductees Friday.
by CNB