From NBA Star to Dead-beat Dad

Ralph Sampson, the 7’4" former UVA basketball star and 1983’s No. 1 NBA draft pick, faces trial soon for a string of charges related to allegedly false statements he made in a child support case, according to the Associated Press.

Sampson was convicted last year of failing to pay nearly $300,000 in child support for two children (with two different mothers) in northern Virginia. Now he faces new charges including perjury, mail fraud, making a false claim and making a false statement. Each of the new charges relate to financial statements that Sampson had made in connection with the child support cases. For each new charge, Sampson faces a hefty $250,000 fine and up to five years in the slammer.

Prosecutors allege that Sampson was earning $5,000 a month from a consulting job when he told the court that he was self-employed with no income. They also claim that Sampson received a $200,000 home in exchange for publicity work, and attempted to defraud a financing company over a $43,000 SUV, which he allegedly denied owning.

Sampson, a Harrisonburg native, finished his UVA career averaging 19 points per game in his senior year. While luxuriating in the Cavalier limelight, his mug graced the cover of Sports Illustrated an impressive six times in less than four years. He was the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, and spent 10 seasons with the Houston Rockets before knee problems forced him to retire.

Sampson’s trial begins July 17 in Richmond. He has pleaded not guilty.—David T. Roisen