Dell Curry and Ralph Sampson: Local Legends
Dell Curry from Fort Defiance and Ralph Sampson from Harrisonburg were both born at the former Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg. They remained in Virginia, excelling in college basketball at Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia, respectively, accumulating over 20,000 points combined in the NBA.
For comparison, Steph Curry and LeBron James were born in the same hospital in Akron, together scoring more than 67,000 points in their professional careers—although that is a different narrative.
College Success and Impact
Sampson led the Cavaliers to the Final Four in 1981, having previously helped them secure the NIT title during his freshman year. He expressed in a 2021 interview that they felt deserving of an NCAA tournament spot in 1980. While Curry and Sampson stand out as the most notable basketball figures from Augusta and Rockingham Counties, numerous other local graduates have competed professionally overseas.
Notable Local Players
- Cory Alexander (Waynesboro): After playing for Virginia, Alexander was a first-round pick in 1995 by San Antonio. He also had stints with Denver, Orlando, and Charlotte, later transitioning to a basketball analyst role.
- Joey Allen (TA): A standout at Randolph-Macon, Allen played 15 years professionally in Europe after contributing to national tournaments with his college team.
- Pee Wee Barber (Harrisonburg): Although he showed promise at Florida State, Barber was drafted by Portland in 1987 but faced personal issues that prevented him from playing professionally.
- Kirby Burkholder (Turner Ashby): Burkholder, a walk-on at JMU, achieved CAA Player of the Year honors and played overseas before retiring to work in recreation.
More Local Talents
- John Wetzel (Wilson Memorial): Drafted by the Lakers out of Blacksburg, Wetzel played in the NBA before transitioning to coaching. He was notable for his work with several NBA teams.
- Kristi Tolliver (Harrisonburg): A former national champion at Maryland, Tolliver has had a prominent WNBA career and has also taken on coaching responsibilities.
- Stephanie Howard (Harrisonburg): An esteemed player at Radford, Howard spent years playing in Switzerland and is now working in local government.
The Next Generation
Looking forward, potential candidates for professional basketball from Augusta and Rockingham include Tyler Nickel, who has played at North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Vanderbilt. His impressive college stats suggest a likely future in Europe.
Community Contributions
In addition to players, local athletic officials have made their mark, such as Sue Blauch, a notable figure in officiating within the WNBA and internationally. The continued production of talent from this area not only contributes to sports but enriches the community.
Conclusion
The legacy of basketball talent from Augusta and Rockingham Counties continues to thrive, with stories of both past and present players shaping the future of the sport.
