Michael Jordan blocks Ralph Sampson in memorable ACC encounter

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Aug 24, 2026, 9:50 AM

Last updated Aug 24, 2026

Michael Jordan blocks Ralph Sampson in memorable ACC encounter
Summary

Michael Jordan's memorable block on Ralph Sampson occurred during an ACC game in 1983. At 6-6, Jordan managed to reject a shot from the towering 7-4 Sampson under the basket, demonstrating his exceptional athleticism. This moment showcases Jordan's competitive spirit and skills early in his career against a formidable opponent. Jordan and Sampson, both highly regarded players during their time, affected college basketball narratives significantly, especially as Jordan had initially considered playing alongside Sampson at Virginia.

Source Links
By the Numbers
  • Jordan blocked a shot from Sampson in 1983 ACC game.
  • Sampson was a dominant figure at Virginia prior to the NBA.
  • Jordan chose UNC instead of teaming with Sampson at Virginia.
  • The block is celebrated as one of the great plays in ACC history.
Latest Updates
  • 9:50 AMYahoo SportsYouTube Gold: Michael Jordan Rejects Virginia’s Ralph Sampson
What they're saying
"

Blocking a shot by a 7-4 center is not easy.

Related Teams & Leagues

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days