Superstar Offspring Play In ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Ralph Sampson III is five inches shorter than his famous father, at a mere 6’11’’, and chose not to be the second coming at his dad’s C’ville alma mater.

Sampson plays for Tubby Smith at the University of Minnesota. The freshman from Duluth, GA is averaging six points and four rebounds in just under 16 minutes per game this season. Last night Sampson had one rebound, one assist and two blocked shots in 17 minutes.

According the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Sampson is unfazed by his hoop pedigree. According to Ralph3, last night’s home matchup in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge against dad’s Virginia Cavaliers was "just another game."

While Sampson’s parents have groomed his individuality, he’s got support in the famous family club at Minnesota. Gophers assistant coach Saul Smith played for his father, head coach Tubby Smith, at Kentucky. Graduate manager Ryan Saunders is the son of former Gophers guard and Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders. Junior Lawrence Westbrook is the first cousin of Philadelphia Eagles’ running back Brian Westbrook.

Jeff Jordan, Air Jordan’s eldest, is a sophomore at Illinois. A walk-on from Loyola Academy, Jordan doesn’t see too much playing time averaging just one point and one assist in 10 minutes per game this season. Last night, Jordan had two turnovers and no points in five minutes against Clemson.