Ralph Sampson's Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech

Ralph Sampson delivers his speech upon being enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2012. To learn more about Ralph Sampson take a look at his official Hall of Fame bio at www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famer...

[@djshortcutt]

Ralph is my second cousin, and my Mom first cousin!! We have always been very proud of Ralph through out his career

[@showtimenick824]

Pretty dope. I actually befriended his son Robert while he's been playing professionally in Japan.

[@chrisoakley5830]

You have every right to be proud, I have been a big fan of his since his time at Virginia, he's my favorite college player ever.

[@unknown-lf6zx]

My Dad was one of his teachers in school. Said he is such a nice guy. I remember being a little girl (4) and seeing him have to duck under the door he was so tall. I said daddy daddy who is that...he said Ralph Sampson...he's gonna be great! Congratulations Mr Sampson

[@ShawnC.T.]

That's what I always liked the most about Ralph Sampson, his very humble spirit, he seems to be tremendously selfless...

[@MusicManSeanB]

Ralph was ahead of his time. Stuff today's bigs are doing while being widely accepted, he was already doing back in the 80s, yet criticized for it because he wasn't always playing with his back to the basket...although he was far more than capable of doing so. He had some sick handles for someone 7'4".

[@michaelnorris6168]

Oh I loved Ralph Sampson!!! This was when college basketball was the best sport in America. The early 80’s in college ball was the absolute best. I remember waiting 2 years to see Patrick Ewing (Georgetown) play Ralph Sampson (Virginia), and this is when the college stars stayed for 3-4 years and became legends before going pro.

[@laman8914]

I like how he did it as a free flowing speech. No paper, no notes, just one simple strategy of showing appreciation to others and everything flowed from there, jokes included. It's a pity his game got marred by injuries. It was a joy watching him play.

[@MrAitraining]

Remember, this is the BASKETBALL hall of fame. Not the NBA hall of fame. Ralph was one of the best college players ever and there are many people in the hall based on achievements outside the NBA. And he was a very good NBA player too.

[@lwmson]

Exactly. He was arguably the best player in college basketball when he played, and that was an era that included Michael Jordan. His NBA career wasn't so stellar, yes, but he was plagued by injury. After he suffered that back injury in a game against the Celtics in 1986, he was never the same afterwards.

[@ronniemckinney4811]

He is the 80s version of Penny, Hill and Rose. Potential out the wazoo but injuries put a end to that.

[@bradtdarius]

4 -time NBA ALL-Star, All-Star Game MVP, 3-time College Player of the Year, 3-time ACC Player of the Year; NBA Rookie of the Year,...yeah, Sampson deserved to be inducted. It is the BASKETBALL Hall of Fame, and a few inductees(as teams) are in the Hall for their College achievements alone. 🙂Fans should not be surprised if, one day, Christian Laettner gets inducted for his college career, as well. People must remember, there is no NBA Hall of Fame. It's the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

[@jamesvickers5004]

At 7'4"" Ralph was very agile, he played PF while Hakeem played center, he dunked beyond the free throw line.

[@daleg5553]

Got to meet him in person today. Made a delivery to his house. Nice as could be, very humble man.

[@FerallHog]

Great player and excellent father. Wise example of class and competitive greatness and humility.

[@Johnson_Cable]

Thanks for the memories, Ralph. You deserve this. Wahoowa!

[@atticusbrentley8694]

instablaster.

[@pickzkickz]

Twin Towers...barring Ralphs injuries would easily be the greatest duo ever.

[@gsw88888]

Exceptionally respectful speech any one can witness as a HOFer. I really admire his graceful spirit!

[@endisrael7049]

what a great entertaining speech. Everyone smiling in teh audience.

[@alandeniro]

It's not the NBA Hall of Fame. It's the basketball hall of fame. And he was one of the most dominant players to ever play college basketball. The only men's player to win the Wooden Award twice and 3-time winner of the Naismith.

[@unknown-lf6zx]

If only his knees held up

[@written12]

Good point. I didn’t realize that. Certainly, his overall basketball exploits make him worthy of this honor.

[@mlzrn]

From Houston: Ralph, you are still loved in Houston. Wish you would come back more often.You are always welcomed back to Houston. TWIN TOWERS MLL

[@kelinmemphis]

Great speach. He seemed so sincere and apreciated his time in the nba

[@JudgeDredd_]

Big Ralph man he was a beast

[@DrSooner1]

Great speech. Loved Ralph Sampson as a kid. A special talent and all around nice guy.

[@tomswill9189]

This is my man. He had serious game. Loved his game.

[@jaycompany4886]

Is Bill Walton in the record books for his freeze smile? Man....it goes on n on n on.

[@stephenkennedy8767]

Jay Company he’s usually talking on and on and on

[@rejeanherris560]

WOW RALP SAMPSON TRULY SPOKE FROM THE HEART.. HE REALLY GAVE A AWESOME SPEECH THAT NIGHT...AND HE WAS SPOT ON ABOUT HIS CHOICE OF WORDS AND THE PRAISE HE GAVE TO ALL WHO PLAYED A ROLE IN HIS CAREER.. GODBLESS YOU SR EXCELLENT JOB#

[@emanuelproductions97]

I just have to wonder why he didn't give Houston or Hakeem a shout out.

[@genobourn7423]

A very humble guy! Exhibiting what a great human being he is!

[@leroybrownjr68]

If his knees had held up...

[@edzdaone91]

…the Rockets would’ve had more NBA titles

[@marvinhagler4721]

EXACTLY

[@chizdip8192]

His situation sorta reminds me a lot of yaos. If they both could have stayed healthy, their teams would have been absolutely lethal, and that goes for tmac as well

[@lucillelacsican13]

Such a very humble player..

[@broncobilly4029]

Younger fans probably don't understand how great Ralph Sampson was. In the early 80s, he was the future of basketball. Jordan wasn't Jordan yet. Ralph Sampson was the prize. Unfortunately, his body couldn't hold up. Nice speech. I like the way he honored the game by highlighting other legends as well. Ralph Sampson is a very deserving HOF player.

[@SilverbackSS04]

One of the best 7 footers and my hero...too bad injures cut him short.

[@JSC-1971]

Is there anyone who has been more times on that stage than THE DOCTOR??!!! EVERYONE'S FAVORITE!

[@user-lf7nf3kl7t]

And no1 has more camera pan shots with a big goofy smile than Bill Walton 😁

[@drmontano9414]

best speech from the heart

[@TheTomtron]

I fist saw this guy on TV when he played for Virginia and couldn't believe how well he got around the court and how high he could jump and dribble incredible ! just wish his knees wouldn't have gave out on him !

[@BryanX64]

Dissapointed he didn't mention Hakeem other than him being kicked out =[

[@FrankW1029]

If surgeries back then couldve been performed like today Ralph Sampson could have been one of the greatest center in the game.

[@73Trident]

Ralph is a class act. This is well deserved.

[@genobourn7423]

Very humble, great guy!

[@JoseRivera-md6en]

Great speech..the best one that, I've seen so far !

[@hikidunm1582]

Ralph Sampson & Sam Bowie were deeply affected by injuries sadly.

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

Injuries are just as much a part of the game as anything else unfortunately. Stops thousands from going as high as their capable of going whether that be college or more.

[@ronaldzent4845]

What a classy guy, never saw him play, but you can tell by the way he pays homage to many others. Remember, many years ago, when I was working a sales job in Orange county, CA. Anaheim I think, saw a larg cardboard cutout of him in front of a Fuji Photo warehouse. Guess he was pretty hyped, along with Hakeem Olajuwan

[@mattpearce6465]

My God, what could have been...

[@cnrmoose]

[@DrSeuss-nv9hw]

Sichting, Jerry. And agreed.

[@feliperojasalou3325]

Basketball fan don't forget is not NBA hall of fame don't forget he was a outstanding college basketball players came onnn.

[@MrAitraining]

Exactly

[@jlmartinez8482]

Ralph was Dominant in college with Virginia and had great years with Houston , unfortunately his career was cut short due to injuries. The same can be said with Bill Walton. He was Great and wouldve been an all timer but serious foot injuries prevented that. He did lead Portland to an NBA title.

[@beauyoung6091]

Did Ralph play with Jeff lamp ?

[@liecrusher3506]

Are footballers who had stellar collegiate, but so-so NFL careers, in the Pro Football HOF?

[@chrisoakley5830]

​@@beauyoung6091I'm not sure but if he did, it would have only been one year.

[@chrumfelt]

A very deserving member of the Hall of Fame. If he had not hurt his knees there is no telling what all he could have achieved.

[@Amick44]

I and many others disagree. I have never heard a bad word about him (as a person). I genuinely like him and rooted for him as a player. But fact is, he had a very short pro career, wasn't as dominant as Walton as a collegian (reason Walton is in, too). I don't feel he deserves to be in, though.

[@kylethomas2993]

@@Amick44 he should defenitly be in. It's the basketball hof not the NBA hof and he and Kareem are the only players in college basketball history to be player of the year 3 times

[@Amick44]

@@kylethomas2993 enough people who vote feel he does.

[@braxtonthomas6194]

Thank you sir!!!!

[@lwmson]

It's good to see Sampson mature into an articulate, personable middle aged man. Although he was one of he greatest college basketball players of all time, I really didn't like him personally back then. Because of all the accolades he received in college, I think it went to his head and he became somewhat arrogant. But I think a shortened NBA career, coupled with spending time in jail for not paying child support, was humbling for him and made him a better person.

[@darylwoodard1054]

Probably did.

[@glaucoma888]

joe jones glad his boys and girls were there

[@billthebutcher2]

What a nice guy, gracious speech, that was good to listen to.

[@bancroftgroves2021]

Julius Erving every body’s favorite player, long live the doctor 🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️👑🙌🏾💯

[@tabathabrabham6419]

Speak for YOURSELF! JORDAN is MY FAVORITE player. Thanks!

[@bancroftgroves2021]

Tabatha Brabham good for you, he’s also Michael Jordan’s favorite player !

[@ShawnC.T.]

I had the privilege of meeting him here in Atlanta in June of 2018, he is/was class personified...

[@Amick44]

@@tabathabrabham6419 Jordan is the greatest, favorite can be another matter

[@timhoward5]

@@tabathabrabham6419 HOLD THAT SAME ENERGY WHEN PEOPLE SAY JORDAN IS EVERYONE FAVORITE PLAYERS, YOU BUM. THANKS!

[@lordgodspeed1539]

Ralph Sampson is one of my all time favorite 7 footers of all times 🏀

[@hanj31]

Yao Ming is the Chinese Ralph Sampson. Both hall of famers with their careers cut short due to injuries

[@jlobiafra]

Both rockets also

[@harry6555]

i remembered him as a virginia cavalier. he was well liked

[@williammeadows7849]

Absolutely right his knees is what took him out great player

[@ji5073]

I think he appreciates the induction even more, considering his stat's weren't the greatest, due to his untimely injury which shorten his career

[@axxellein]

Awesome

[@dentantoco3806]

Very nice speech.

[@Perfection212]

The OG Wemby!A well deserved HOF!

[@epicwizmega]

Ralph and Hakeem were the real twin towers

[@darkeyeassassin3068]

The original(twin towers). It's unfortunate injuries derailed the tremendous potential of championships & dominance.

[@dkcocopun]

They were, until Duncan and Robinson came along

[@wornoutshoes11]

@@dkcocopun duncan and robinson? LOL wTF LOL 🤣😂😅 with all honesty kid... Hakeem and Ralph will make those 2 eat dirt... Real talk. 🤭✌️

[@tellthetruthg]

wornoutshoes11 who’s got the rings? Sampson Hakeem or Duncan Robinson? Stats rule period end of discussion

[@tellthetruthg]

wornoutshoes11 twin towers got schooled together in A game by the GOAT 37 yrs old Kareem. Read look up basketball reference read the stats . Go back u can even see game by game stats .wornout yet shoes?

[@MrSlutt]

Ralph Sampson is a really good public speaker! Ralph is very eloquent!

[@restlessmind5770]

Top notch.

[@stevespears8193]

Ralph super nice Man &humble young man only man i seen put a coin on top the back board and brought it down and gave it to a kid;

[@nekaeljones3086]

Class act...

[@gilbertreyes6750]

Such a classy guy

[@reginalcullins7951]

Should have been the boxing hall of fame. This is one of the fightingest brothas to ever come through the nba

[@eddiewallace3362]

First center to put the ball on the floor!!

[@calvinsampson5750]

Yes

[@BeastSquad-uq1wh]

I love that he knew artis gilmore was a threat and was very strong

[@lolotroll2]

Ralph said dudes rock

[@willielittle9301]

Bill was great...Kareem was great...but WILT was the gold standard of centers..

[@lonniec7603]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@joker12346969]

Why doesn't he thank Hakeem. Also he should've picked him as a representative. Do they have beef or something

[@CM-wg9yc]

joker12346969 They're real cool with each other.

[@toddsands6000]

I read an SI story, and Ralph mentioned that he wished that the Houston organization never broke up him and Hakeem.

[@salamander5318]

So the legend is true. When he talks about grabbing the backboard 4:28, that backboard is 13 feet high.

[@gotherealex]

How can Jamal Wilkes be a Hall of Famer, but Bernard King is not?

[@Amick44]

King, thankfully got in. Though it took waaayyy too long. I don't feel Wilkes belongs, either. Very good, sure. Great? Never.

[@CM-wg9yc]

Wilkes finished second to Rick Barry for Finals MVP in the '75 NBA Finals. He was a high double digit scorer for 3 NBA champions ('75 Warriors, '80 & '82 Lakers) + a great college career at UCLA. He was even a movie star opposite Larry Fishburne in "Cornbread, Earl and Me". Wilkes was Cornbread... Fishburne was "ME". Wilkes belongs in the Hall of Fame.

[@hikidunm1582]

Rings.

[@Amick44]

@Ashok Hegde Wilkes helped make good teams better. King made fair teams competitive to dangerous.

[@marvincruz8223]

My teacher went to school with this guy.

[@lloydkline6946]

At Virginia, he was the man there

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

Seems as though he's doing well. I'm glad.

[@Bcarde8]

UVA 4 LIFE!!!! Ralph!!!!

[@giovannisanchez1519]

I wish I could have seen you in a team dominate The league I really do

[@Hotobu]

HAHAHAHAHA! First guy I've seen to get boo'ed during his induction speech. GOOD JOB!

[@CasiodorusRex]

Why does Kareem at 7'2" look taller than Ralph Sampson at 7'4"?

[@vincentestone5764]

THAT'S UP WHAT ! MY FAVORITE BIG MAN MADE IT !

[@lloydkline6946]

Legendary college basketball players

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

Ralph was actually around 7’2”. He and Kareem are the same height and Kareem is 7’2”.

[@naturenupe6]

No Ralph 7’4”

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

@@naturenupe6 No. Look at the photos. Look at photos of Sampson and Yao Ming, who at a real height of 7'5", dwarfs Ralph.

[@naturenupe6]

@@yourroyalhighness7662 These guys as player were taller. They are old now. Go watch all star games Ralph was easily 2 inches taller than Kareem. Ming was 7’6”. Also make sure you account for camera angle.

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

@@naturenupe6 I saw a young Ralph Sampson battle against Kareem when Ralph was a member of the Houston Rockets and he was no taller than Kareem. As for Ming, he was listed as 7'5" when he came into the NBA. There are photos of him literally standing back to back with Shawn Bradley (who really IS 7'6") and Bradley is taller. Others have noted how Sampson's height was exaggerated. This is similar to the case of Tom Burleson, who was listed as 7'4" but in actuality was a little over 7'2". Burleson freely admits to this. You can easily read about it. Kareem himself, upon meeting Tom for the first time, looked him in the eye and said "You are not 7'2" to which the "Newland Needle" replied "You are right. I'm not."

[@JT-rg3vs]

@@yourroyalhighness7662 Ralph is at most 7'2", like you said. Honestly Kareem looks taller than him in this video, but hard to say for sure with dress shoes and posture at older age etc. Yao is 3 or 4 inches taller. People say Hakeem exaggerated his height and was closer to 6'10" but honestly in photos he looks closer to his billed height, Ralph barely looks taller than him in photos.

[@jay1prauve1998]

I've met Ralph, Julius and Charles.

[@jayoly6273]

Seems to be a very cool guy

[@alanfortune3092]

Class Act!

[@tyronethomas820]

He would have a mother mother if he wouldn’t have had a those injuries Sampson was the coldest for his height no other big man his height will ever have a weter shot!!!!

[@westy40]

Injuries did him in early in his NBA career. Saw him play in the 80's He was a great player in college and had 3 great seasons in the NBA. Not sure he is HOF worthy though.

[@pp3k3jamail]

It's the basketball hall of fame ,not the nba hall of fame. Ralph Samson was one of the greatest college centers of alltime.

[@westy40]

mike white Yes, I know. He needs to be in the Collegiate Hall Of Fame. The NBA needs to stop putting players who were great in college but so-so in the NBA into the HOF. They also need to narrow the qualifications of who gets in. It's way too diluted with marginal players who don't deserve to be inducted.

[@pp3k3jamail]

westy40 The is no nba hall of fame dude. It's only the naismith memorial basketball hall of fame. Dean smith, Mike krzyzewski, C.vivian stringer, and other college players and coaches are this hall of fame also . There is no such thing as a nba hall of fame.

[@westy40]

mike white Right. I should have said the Naismith HOF (which is primarily NBA greats) should put collegiate greats into the collegiate HOF. Sampson was not a HOF player in the NBA. Not even close. He was a "HOF" college player. There needs to be a separation. The NBA is the elite of the elite. No matter how great you were in college, like a Christian Laettner...doesn't mean he should be in the Naismith HOF. Laettner is in the collegiate HOF as it should be. Laettner, like Sampson are not in the same league as the pro all-time greats and it's an insult to have them in the same hall of fame building together.

[@incredible916]

+westy40 you are an idiot

[@Belburg]

Was a damnned good basketball player at UVA, though if Bowie was not injured, he may have had to give up one of those college player of the year awards.

[@amarooT6564]

shout out to kareem Sir charles and the Doctor for standing so long without fainting .

[@cheebateam]

As a kid I wanted Ralph to be on the Lakers...was bummed...but Worthy worked out ok...lol.

[@waynejohanson1083]

I would say better then O.K.

[@cheebateam]

@@waynejohanson1083 notice the lol....

[@atribecalledlen3567]

They weren’t in the same draft

[@michaeljohnson7945]

@@atribecalledlen3567 Ralph Sampson was considering entering the 1982 NBA draft but decided to return to the University of Virginia for his senior season. If Sampson stayed in the draft, the Lakers would have chosen him with the No. 1 pick.

[@tashrif46]

11:06 wow to think Michael Jordan and LeBron are sitting in the same row

[@shutterbugblues]

It's true. Players listed height are usually not their true barefoot height. Only in the pre-80's NBA was when players listed their true height. It is a myth that players today are much taller on average. The height average has gone up only about an inch in a span of 50 years. Russell and Chamberlain would take on center today just fine.

[@kelvinhouston4287]

Heck, Chamberlain could take on NBA centers of today with just his strength along. Strongest man to ever play in the NBA!

[@salamander5318]

Ralph Sampson was 7'4" after a full night sleep and wearing pair of thick soled sneakers. Kareem was 7'3 1/2" in those same sneakers. The NBA is weird just like the WWE. Some heights are actual barefoot heights like Shaq and Kareem, and many others are heights in thick Basket Ball shoes. In the WWE, Big Show and Kane are both listed at 7'0", but Paul Wight was measured 7'1" when he was an NCAA division 1 center, and he's about 4 inches taller than Kane.

[@user-wr4ik5bn5i]

WILT was 7,1 Adre the Giant 7,4 but if you see the Conan the barnarian(With Arlond) both looks at the same height🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ancelthegreat845]

That guy was 7'4 can run jump had post moves and had heart. A few more years with Hakeem OMG... Back was basketball was fun to watch and was a mens games compared to theses yearly and daily 3point contest games of today.

[@darkeyeassassin3068]

Moved with the grace & agility of a forward.

[@user-wr4ik5bn5i]

IS SHORTER IS HAS THE SAME HEIGHT WITH KAREEM ALSO KRISTAPS IS 7,3 AND MAYBE IS MORE ATHLETIC

[@mgandaj8535]

This guy could do everything I'm sure he could play point guard for one game and get 15 points or more.

[@GlueGuy20]

So he was also coached by Don Nelson just like Dirk. 🤔 That really tells us how Coach Nelson liked bigs with guard skills.

[@WatchSicarioWin]

yeah I got that vibe also. he kept mentioning him in a not positive manor, considering they were teammates. dream made sampson an expendable asset on that rocket's team, unfortunately.

[@jaybri3]

hmm i think he is a tad jealous of the dreams career as it felt like he avoided him as much as he could , very disapointed from a houston fan because imo if he stayed healthy them 2 would of been very special as no other big man could compliment him as good as the dream did

[@markfrederick4919]

Hold up if Ralph Sampson can get into the HOF was isn't Shawn Kemp inducted?

[@darwyncarriedo2862]

11:03 why so tense lebron? 5secs later GOAT* 🔥🔥🔥

[@ronaldzent4845]

"The Twin Towers"

[@eddiewallace3362]

A ture terror had not been for his knee's

[@DrJohnnyJ]

How did he make the HOF with 20 win share while Marques Johnson with 80 win share isn't. This is just weird. Is it for height?

[@MrSlutt]

Ok, I'm 47 yrs old now! And, I gotta say, Got Damn, does Chris Mullin ever age? Mullin look good for his age! Look @ 13:57 sec, the Camera Man showed Chris Mullin, and he still looks the same, as he did 30 yrs ago, when I was a young Teenage Boy, watching my home team, the Houston Rockets vs. Seattle Super Sonics! Chris still has that Army Drill Instructor Buzz Cut! You can tell Chris took care of himself!

[@camerondrain8166]

Why wasn’t Hakeem there or even mentioned that much? Are there issues between them?

[@Layzee888]

Damn wtf Bill Walton can't stop fucking smiling lol

[@jlobiafra]

He's remembering the time he wrestled ralph to the floor in the 86 finals