page_title: 1983 NBA draft
section_title: Draft
hierarchical_section_title: 1983 NBA draft / Draft
caption_attribution_description: English: en:Ralph Sampson, the former NBA great, at his hometown African-American festival in 2010 (Harrisonburg, Va)
context_page_description: The 1983 NBA draft took place on June 28, 1983, in New York City. A total of 226 players were selected over 10 rounds by the league's 23 teams.
  The first overall pick of this draft was 7’4” center Ralph Sampson, predicted as an NBA superstar since high school. The three-time College Player of the Year had spent all four years of his college career at the University of Virginia, and was taken first by the Houston Rockets. Displaying his graceful above-the-rim game and ability to run the court like a guard, he got off to a certain Hall of Fame bound start as an NBA All-Star and NBA Rookie of the Year before injuries several seasons in derailed his career.
  Sampson was joined in the Hall by University of Houston Cougars standout Clyde “The Glide” Drexler, taken number 14 by the Portland Trail Blazers.
  Despite there being only 23 teams at the time of the draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers were awarded the 24th pick out of courtesy.
context_section_description: *Compensation for draft choices previously traded away by Ted Stepien.
caption: Ralph Sampson was selected first overall by the Houston Rockets.
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