From Diapers to Dunks:

Ralph Sampson III may struggle to match the career accolades of his famous father, Ralph Sampson, Jr., but one look at his father’s impressive resume reveals a decorated lineage. At 7-foot-4 with an impressive wingspan, the elder Sampson was a three-time college National Player of the Year at the University of Virginia and had a nine-year NBA career that began promisingly but was undone by knee troubles. The younger Sampson has enjoyed early success as well. The III had 18 points for Northview (Ga.) in a Class 5A quarterfinal loss to Norcross on Feb. 29, 2008. Sampson was out-dueled down low by McDonald’s All-American Al-Farouq Aminu of Norcross (who is now at Wake Forest) with 29 points. In opening round play of the state tournament, Sampson recorded 14 points, 18 rebounds and 11 blocked shots in a first-round win, then followed that with 15 points, 10 rebounds, seven blocks, four assists and two steals in a 71-61 upset win over Marietta in the second round. In perhaps his most dominant game of the season, Sampson posted a triple-double with 31 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks in a December victory. Sampson finished the season averaging 19.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and seven blocked shots per game as the Titans finished 21-9 while making their first ever state tournament appearance.

The Barnyard Quiz
1) Why did you choose the Gophers?

I wanted to pick a place where I can feel comfortable for the next four years, and Coach Smith

2) What are you most looking forward to as a Gopher

The Big Ten competition and the raised floor

3) How do you get ready before a game?
Sleep, eat, listen to music, pray

4) What’s a little known fact about you?

I went to two state tournaments with two different schools

5) After winning the 2009 NCAA’s what song do you dance to at the welcome home celebration?

Lil’ Wayne – Championship Pop Bottles

6)When your career as a Gopher is over, what would you like to be remembered for?

A competitor who had an outstanding career

From Diapers to Dunks:

Jon Williams took a different path than most Minnesotans to play for the Gophers, but ultimately decided to play at home. Williams committed to St. John’s in the fall of 2002 while attending St. Cloud Apollo. But after Red Storm coach Mike Jarvis resigned, Williams decided to attend the Fitchburg (Mass.) Notre Dame Prep Academy after graduating to work on his academics and he subsequently de-committed from St. John’s. Before attending Apollo, Williams attended high schools in Georgia and Florida. Williams was named all-state honorable mention at Apollo in 2003, and averaged eight points and eight rebounds while at Notre Dame Prep. Following a heavy recruiting battle between Penn State and Pitt, Minnesota won out and added Williams for the 2004-2005 season. Unfortunately, Williams suffered a sprained knee during the preseason and was granted a medical redshirt season.

The Barnyard Quiz
1) Why did you choose the Gophers?

The University of Minnesota is a great college in a major conference

2) What’s been your biggest thrill as a Gopher

Big Ten Tour – “Shot by Blake”

3) How do you get ready before a game?
Listen to music

4) What’s a little known fact about you?

I love to draw!

5) Who is your favorite former Gopher?

Engen Nurumbi – he was the funniest teammate

6) The Gophers are down 1 with :05 left & Coach Smith is locked in the bathroom – what play do you run?

Coach Smith would never be locked in a bathroom with :05 left. He would bust out before let lets us draw up a play!

7) After winning the 2009 NCAA’s what song do you dance to at the welcome home celebration?

Lil’ Boosie — Wipe Me Down

8)When your career as a Gopher is over, what would you like to be remembered for?

A respectful man that played hard all the time

From Diapers to Dunks:

Devron Bostick graduated from St. Catherine’s (Racine, Wis.) in 2006 with an impressive resume of individual and team success. Bostick led the Angels to two Wisconsin state championships. His junior season, Bostick averaged 13.7 ppg as St. Catherine’s rolled to a 25-1 record and the Division 2 State Championship. What did Bostick do for an encore his senior season? He averaged 17.2 points and over six rebounds per game as the Angels went 27-0 and captured the Division 3 State Championship. He was named Division 3 Player of the Year and signed with Youngstown State, but failed to qualify. Bostick moved on to Southwestern Illinois Community College upon graduation, where he averaged 19 points per game as a freshman, leading SWIC to a 23-8 mark while being named second-team All-American. Then he led SWIC to a 28-5 record while averaging 18 ppg his sophomore season. For his efforts, Bostick was named the 2008 Division I National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Player of the Year.

The Barnyard Quiz
1) Why did you choose the Gophers?

Because of Tubby Smith, the campus, the Twin Cities and I have family living here

2) What are you most looking forward to as a Gopher?

Looking forward to beating Wisconsin

3) How do you get ready before a game?

Listen to music

4) What’s a little known fact about you?

I like slow music

5) Who is your favorite former Gopher?

Lawrence McKenzie

6) The Gophers are down 1 with :05 left & Coach Smith is locked in the bathroom – what play do you run?

The exact same play we ran against Indiana last year in the Big Ten Touranment

7) After winning the 2009 NCAA’s what song do you dance to at the welcome home celebration?

My Dougie (remix)

8)When your career as a Gopher is over, what would you like to be remembered for?

I would like to be remembered as a champion

From Diapers to Dunks:

Two of the top prep basketball players in Minnesota faced off in mid-February 2006, as the Braham Bombers and Michigan State recruit Isaiah Dahlman traveled to Minneapolis Henry to face junior Al Nolen and the Patriots. With Nolen’s commitment to the Gophers before the season began, and Braham’s lofty expectations following back-to-back Class 2A Championships, the game was destined to be a battle of the bright young stars. By the end of the game, Dahlman had a better stat line, but Nolen proved victorious in handing the Bombers their second defeat in 80 games with a 70-62 win. Nursing a one-point lead at halftime, Nolen started the second half with a steal and fast-break layup to teammate Tim Saxon. Nolen then followed with a basket of his own, and after a few minutes the Patriots had grabbed a 38-31 lead and never looked back. Nolen finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals. Dahlman tallied 31 points for Braham, who went on to win the Class 2A Championship.

The Barnyard Quiz
1) Why did you choose the Gophers?

Because I grew up in Minneapolis

2) What has been your biggest thrill as a Gopher?

The win against Indiana last year in the Big Ten Tournament

3) How do you get ready before a game?

Listen to music

4) What’s a little known fact about you?

I am king of Madden on Xbox 360 for real

5) Who is your favorite former Gopher?

Bobby Jackson – he was a great player

6) The Gophers are down 1 with :05 left & Coach Smith is locked in the bathroom – what play do you run?

Any play that gets us the win

7) After winning the 2009 NCAA’s what song do you dance to at the welcome home celebration?

My Dougie

8)When your career as a Gopher is over, what would you like to be remembered for?

A leader