Ralph Sampson (7′4″) and Hakeem Olajuwon (6′10″) pose together in Sept. 1986 in Houston, Texas. After a dominant college career at Virginia, Sampson was drafted No. 1 overall by the Rockets in 1983 and the center didn’t disappoint. Sampson was named Rookie of the Year that season and made All-Star teams the next four years after that. Injuries later derailed his career, but Sampson is still remembered as one of the most talented big men to ever play the game. Today is his 55th birthday. (Walter Iooss Jr. for SI)
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