Ralph Sampson is a gentle giant among men.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He took his love of competition to the NBA, and coupled with his off-field success, it\u2019s clear he has successfully reached his full potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Growing up, Ralph grew two or three inches every year. His doctor reassured him that there was nothing wrong, so Ralph embraced his height, rather than feeling embarrassed by it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He loved playing outside and enjoyed every sport. <\/span>\u201cIn my time, we played a variety of sports we did not specialize in,\u201d<\/span><\/i> he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

In middle school and early high school, Ralph decided to focus on basketball, recognizing that it was his best chance at going pro.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ralph had a full four inches on the seven-foot players in the NBA. Plus, he was very mobile and fast. Always a hard worker, he honed his skills at camps and by playing for leagues when he wasn\u2019t in school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In high school, he was the best player on his team, though <\/span>\u201cI never thought about breaking records,\u201d <\/span><\/i>he said. He was hard on himself, and ever humble\u2014never did he play for the highlights. Rather, it was all about the team.\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTeamwork makes the dream work,\u201d<\/span><\/i> he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ralph received over 1000 letters from colleges interested in recruiting him. He narrowed the list down to his top four choices\u2014Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Virginia\u2014ultimately choosing Virginia, since it was close to home. His parents, who he said, <\/span>\u201ckeep me grounded,\u201d <\/span><\/i>taught him the importance of education, and he knew Virginia was a great educational institution, as well. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ralph stayed in VA for four years and earned his degree in communications and business. Reflecting, he is glad he didn\u2019t leave early, as he felt it helped prepare him for life after basketball. He also truly enjoyed the camaraderie of college. He made a lot of friends, especially in his teammates.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCollege was the best time of my life,\u201d<\/span><\/i> he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ralph had a tremendous career at UVA, and they retired his number\u201450.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the number-one pick in the NBA draft, Ralph felt no weight on his shoulders at all with the accompanying responsibility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He went on to become a four-time NBA all-star and played in the NBA finals with the Houston Rockets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Life after basketball was a bit of a challenge in terms of figuring out what he wanted to do. But as a student of the game, he used what he learned in sports to become successful in business.<\/span><\/p>\n

After studying business, he opened a tee-shirt shop. He also had a 20-year real estate run and made various business deals\u2014including owning a restaurant in Charlottesville called American Tap House. <\/span>\u201cWe have a great atmosphere, great food, and great drinks,\u201d<\/span><\/i> he said. (You can check it out here: americantaphouse.com.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having done radio shows, Ralph eventually began considering podcasting, which was a natural fit. <\/span>\u201cI am a communications major, remember, so I know how to be on the radio,\u201d<\/span><\/i> he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ralph’s podcast\u2014which he takes as seriously as he does any venture\u2014is about life in connection with sports. He interviews a lot of notable people, like Brian McKnight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ralph and his hand-picked co-host, Mike McDonald (who Ralph says is <\/span>\u201cthe best\u201d<\/span><\/i> and has been in the radio business for 30 years), are now approaching their 100<\/span>th<\/span> show.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He prepares for his podcast like he does for any venture\u2014he studies. He hopes to one day take the show on the road and record at his restaurant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ralph has accomplished so many things; however, he remains humble, crediting his success in growing a tremendous brand and legacy to his parents, teammates, mentors, and employees.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

September 2022 Issue<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ralph Sampson is a gentle giant among men.\u00a0 He took his love of competition to the NBA, and coupled with his off-field success, it\u2019s clear he has successfully reached his full potential.\u00a0 Growing up, Ralph grew two or three inches every year. His doctor reassured him that there was nothing wrong, so Ralph embraced his height, rather than feeling embarrassed by it.\u00a0 He loved playing outside and enjoyed every sport. \u201cIn my time, we played a variety of sports we did not specialize in,\u201d he said. In middle school and early high school, Ralph decided to focus on basketball, recognizing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":13279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[3784,3790,3789,3785,3786,2196,3787,410,3788],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n