1986 Fleer #97 Ralph Sampson PSA 9

1986 Fleer #97 Ralph Sampson PSA 9 – Towering Talent with a Game That Changed Expectations

Before injuries altered his trajectory, Ralph Sampson looked like the future of basketball. Standing 7'4" with guard-like agility and a soft shooting touch, Sampson redefined what a big man could be. A three-time college Player of the Year and the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 1984, he gave the Houston Rockets a dynamic twin-tower tandem alongside Akeem Olajuwon—one that powered them to the 1986 NBA Finals. At his peak, Sampson was a matchup nightmare, capable of running the floor, knocking down mid-range jumpers, and protecting the rim.

This PSA 9 example from the iconic 1986 Fleer set captures the towering forward in action, framed by the unmistakable red, white, and blue border. The card features sharp corners, clean surface gloss, and excellent centering—offering both visual pop and long-term collectibility. It reflects the height of Sampson’s stardom, during a time when he was still rewriting the blueprint for the modern big.