Photo courtesy of Michigan State University
Ralph Derek Simpson
MSU Basketball
Michigan State Basketball Player (1969 – 1970)
Professional Basketball Player
Denver Rockets/Nuggets Player (1970 – 1976, 1978)
Detroit Pistons Player (1976 – 1978)
Philadelphia 76ers Player (1978 – 1979)
New Jersey Nets Player (1979)
Detroit Pistons Player (1976 – 1978)
Philadelphia 76ers Player (1978 – 1979)
New Jersey Nets Player (1979)
Ralph Derek Simpson
Michigan State Basketball Player (1969 – 1970)
Denver Rockets/Nuggets Player (1970 – 1976, 1978)
Detroit Pistons Player (1976 – 1978)
Philadelphia 76ers Player (1978 – 1979)
New Jersey Nets Player (1979)
Ralph Simpson was born in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Pershing High School where he helped them win a state championship in 1967. Simpson moved on to Michigan State where he played two seasons earning All-American honors in 1970. He signed with the Denver Rockets/Nuggets of the American Basketball Association (ABA) beginning a very successful six-year run with the Rockets averaging a career best 27.4 points in 1971 - 1972. When the NBA – ABA merged, Simpson signed with the Detroit Pistons and also played with the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets. During his ten-year NBA - ABA career Simpson scored 11,785 points, collected 2816 rebounds and 2,357 assists, was named a five-time ABA All-Star and an All-ABA First team selection in 1976. Ralph Simpson was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.