Top 25 rookie seasons in NBA history: No. 23 Ralph Sampson
The greatest rookie seasons in NBA history share a number of qualities, starting with individual statistical dominance. However, you can't overlook the context beyond the box score; initial expectations, team success, and overall legacy all matter.
While we wait for the 2019-20 season to resume, theScore's NBA editors dusted off the record books to determine the top 25 rookie seasons in league history.
No. 23 in our series is former Houston Rockets star Ralph Sampson. Catch up on previous posts in the series here.
Before the Association
Sampson had a dominant four-year collegiate career at Virginia, averaging 16.9 points on 56.8% shooting to go along with 11.4 boards and 3.5 blocks per contest. The 7-foot-4 center was a highly sought-after recruit and made an immediate impact, winning ACC Rookie of the Year in 1979-80 as the Cavaliers captured the NIT title.
Sampson followed up his freshman season with a record-tying three Naismith Player of the Year awards and three first-team All-American nods. He considered declaring for the NBA draft after his junior year, but didn't want to risk being taken by the then-San Diego Clippers. Sampson is one of eight Virginia players to have his number retired and remains the school's all-time leader in rebounds and blocks.
Draft day
Sampson was the consensus No. 1 overall pick of the 1983 NBA Draft and expected to be the game's next dominating big man. The notable players selected afterward include Hall of Fame guard Clyde Drexler, who joined Houston 12 years later, and future NBA bench bosses Doc Rivers and Byron Scott.
Sampson stepped right into the starting lineup, succeeding an aging Elvin Hayes in the Rockets' frontcourt.
Individual success
Unlike traditional centers, Sampson was comfortable with ball-handling duties in the open court and shooting from the perimeter. His guard-like mobility and athleticism allowed him to excel in the team's up-tempo style of play. Sampson was named an All-Star reserve in his debut NBA campaign.
He thrived as Houston's lead offensive option, registering a team-high 21 points per game on 52.3% shooting across 82 starts in 1983-84. Sampson also finished third in the Association in blocks (2.4 per game) and fifth in rebounding (11.1) en route to becoming the NBA's first unanimous Rookie of the Year winner.
Team success
With Sampson in the fold, the Rockets won 15 more games than the year prior. The ex-Virginia star was among five players to score at least 10 points per contest, but Houston struggled to keep opponents off the scoreboard, surrendering the fifth-most points per game.
Despite the club's overall improvement, the Rockets remained in the Western Conference's cellar with a 29-53 record.
Enduring legacy
Before the draft lottery was introduced, a coin toss between the last-place teams in each conference determined which organization selected No. 1, meaning Houston had a 50-50 shot at the top pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. The Rockets wound up winning the coin toss for the second straight season and chose Hakeem Olajuwon.
Olajuwon and Sampson formed a potent frontcourt tandem known as the "Twin Towers." The pair ultimately led Houston to the 1986 Finals after Sampson's series-clinching shot at the buzzer against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.
A year later, knee injuries began to derail his promising career. After a falling out with Rockets head coach Bill Fitch, he was traded to the Golden State Warriors midway through the 1987-88 campaign and was out of the league by the age of 31. In 2012, Sampson was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame due to his sublime play in college and after four All-Star seasons in Houston.
Come back on Sunday to see who came in at No. 22 in theScore's Top 25 Rookie Seasons series.