Ralph Sampson III

[Tubama]

Don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet, and it is a little early (by about 3 years!) to be thinking of him, but...

Ralph Sampson III is a freshman playing for Butler High School in Huntsville, AL. (Yes, his father is THAT Ralph Sampson) "Only" 6'10'' so far. Seems to be a real talent.

Given that his mother attended Alabama, do we have a chance down the road to clad him in Crimson? Or is his father's influence great enough to send him towards the ACC?

Another question... Would a seven-footer fit in to Coach Gottfried's style?

Tubama

 

[TIDE-HSV]

It's an interesting story...

If you look in Al.com under the Huntsville Times, either yesterday or the day before, in the sports page, the story is there. He's in Huntsville essentially because of Coach Doss (his mom moved here because CJD was at Butler), so I'd say the determiner will be what Coach Doss thinks he should do...

 

[wastedmason]

RuttRo! I hope we don't have to pay 200,000 for his signature! :mad2: Thats not funny I know. Just couldn't help it. Anyway Logan's Run has since expired.

If and when he becomes elligible for the NBA draft I would fully expect him to go that route, but who knows. Have we ever had anyone 7 feet tall or taller?

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Sampson, 15, blocks nine shots as young Rebels beat rival Lee

Among the spectators at Thursday's game was Sampson's father, a consultant who lives in Duluth, Ga.

"I'm pleased with Ralph's progress since he started playing for Butler (in January)," said the senior Sampson. "He's going through some growing pains right now, and who knows what the future holds? But this was a good day."

His son thought so, too.

"It feels great," Ralph III said, responding to a question about winning the MVP. "It's my first time being the MVP of something meaningful. I just thank God, my teammates, coaches and my parents."

Someone has to go: Lee or Butler

Butler has other weapons, also. Such as 6-foot-10 freshman Ralph Sampson III, who turned 15 years old a month ago. Sampson scored 17 points, claimed 10 rebounds and blocked 10 shots against Erwin.

"He's growing so fast," Doss said. "He has played through pain the last few games."

 

[TiderMan]

Another question... Would a seven-footer fit in to Coach Gottfried's style?

Tubama

Gottfried runs the old UCLA/John Wooden High Post offense. Look at what Wooden did with that offense when he had the likes of Kareem Abdul Jabaar & Bill Walton at the center spot. I would definitely think that it would fit his style just right.

 

[TerryP]

If you look in Al.com under the Huntsville Times, either yesterday or the day before, in the sports page, the story is there. He's in Huntsville essentially because of Coach Doss (his mom moved here because CJD was at Butler), so I'd say the determiner will be what Coach Doss thinks he should do...

If I recall, wasn't there a "conversation" a few weeks ago about Doss not being *very friendly* when it came to people talking to RSIII?

 

[LP-HSV]

Does anyone know why in the world this kid lives in Huntsville?

 

[BAMARICH]

His frame...

Reminds me of Roy Rogers at the same age. Roy, as a freshman, was 6'9", long and lanky. While he did not post the same kind of numbers (had about 6 points per game, 4 blocks, 5 boards) as RSIII, he probably would have had he played in a developmental system for several years (middle school BB was just a space to be filled between fall and spring football). With that talent and development, he possibly could match RR's senior season's stats by either his sophomore or junior year. Hope we could get him!

 

[TerryP]

Does anyone know why in the world this kid lives in Huntsville?

Coach Doss of Butler...re-read Earle's post above. His mother is a UA grad and friends with CJD.

 

[ihatefulmer]

I read in the H'ville paper were Madison Academy had a 9th grader, who had to sit out this year because he transfered,who was already 7'. Dont know anything else about him except that the paper said he would be ready next year. Anybody got any info on this kid?

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Not really...

and, LP, look up that Times article. It lays it all out RS's mom and Coach Doss are both from Anniston and have known each other for many years. He's living in H'ville to play for Doss...

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Earle I looked real hard on the Huntsville Times site for that RSIII link and could not find it. I posted the two most recent RSIII articles that I could find above in this thread.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Drat...

I've got the hard copy of it. I guess I could scan it and upload it, but that would violate our rules. I'll look for the issue again. I just talked to a friend who is a HS coach about Jack Doss. He says that Doss is a huge Bama fan, who goes to all the games. Music to my ears...

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Here it is...

Man, does that search function suck for the H'ville Times. I had to go out and Google my way back into AL.com;

Sampson Link

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Thanks for the link Earl. That was a good read. I could not find it on the Huntsville Times site or google.

 

[lorange]

Hsv......

thanks for the link. I enjoyed reading it.

 

[wahpuh]

I never knew that Steve Sloan was ever a broadcaster for WGN or the cubs!! RTR

 

[UAB-CT]

Have we ever had a player under Marks reign that was over 6'10?

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Butler pulls off unlikely repeat

It was a title made possible as much as anything by the addition of Sampson.

"I don't think we get this far without him," Smith said.

Playing up-and-down since the holidays - something that should be expected from a freshman - Sampson brought his best game to the final and finished one blocked shy of a triple-double.

He had 14 points, 11 rebounds and nine blocks and made the all-tournament team.

"It's an overwhelming feeling of happiness and joy," Sampson said. "It's just 'Wow.'"

Butler 72, Shaw 57

Jeff Smith scored 20 points to lead Butler to a 72-57 victory over Shaw on Saturday night in the Class 5A boys championship game.

The victory marked the second straight championship win for Butler (18-10), who held the state title in 2004.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I think...

6'10" is the upper limit...