Sampson headed into spring with momentum

Three-star prospect Ralph Sampson III has never played travel team basketball, but this spring the 6-foot-11, 220-pound center School will suit up for the Atlantic Celtics after coming off a strong high school season at Duluth (Ga.) Northview High School.

Sampson averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds per game this season which included a 25 point, 14 rebound performance against five-star J.J. Hickson.

"Ralph has gotten more athletic," said Celtics coach Dewayne Jackson. "He is a very good, active defensive player now. Offensively, he is a better high post player than low post player. We are going to play him a lot at power forward. He can shoot the ball well to 17-feet and can also put it on the floor. And best of all, he has a high basketball IQ."

Scholarship offers have not come in yet for Sampson, but several schools will be watching him closely this spring. According to Coach Jackson, North Carolina State is heavily interested and Indiana, California, Auburn and Georgia are interested as well.