Ralph Sampson III, Senior, Center, Minnesota
Overview:
Ralph Sampson III has not quite lived up to the lofty expectations put upon him, mostly due to his name, but he has been a productive player during his collegiate career at Minnesota. As a freshman he stepped right into a part-time starting role and proved to be a capable rebounder and a very good shot blocker. His interior scoring was mostly from easy put-backs and that is something that is still keeping Sampson III down many draft boards.
With more experience Sampson III got a little better at everything, averaging 8.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks as a sophomore and 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks during his junior campaign. Sampson even extended his shooting range out to the three-point arc and can be a dangerous mid-range shooting threat on the right day.
Final Projection:
Sampson III is a proven shot blocker and, at 6-11 and 241 pounds, he alters countless other shots. It is not easy for anybody to get to the basket when Sampson III is in the way. It is that defensive skill set that will get him selected in the 2012 NBA Draft, but the league would like to see some more consistent scoring from the big man before his draft stock rises into first round consideration.
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