Sampson to Serve Two Months

Former NBA center Ralph Sampson will be spending two months of his life in jail beginning in April.

In exchange for Sampson's guilty plea, federal prosecutors dropped charges of perjury, making a false claim and making a false statement about Sampson's finances in a child support case.

U.S. District Judge James Spencer approved the deal on the day Sampson's non-jury trial was scheduled to begin. Sampson faced a maximum of five years in prison and a fine on $250,000 on each count if convicted. The mail fraud count was related to Sampson's purchase of a vehicle in 2004.

Sampson, 46, pleaded guilty last year to failing to pay about $300,000 in court-ordered child support for two children who live in northern Virginia and have different mothers. His sentencing was postponed after he was indicted on perjury, false claim, mail fraud and false statement charges.

The indictment alleged Sampson told authorities he was self-employed by "Sampson Communications" and had no income; prosecutors contended he earned $5,000 per month as a consultant and made commercials and promotional appearances for another in exchange for a $200,000 home. (AP)

Sampson was the #1 overall draft pick in 1983 NBA Draft after starring at the University of Virginia. He played only nine seasons in the NBA and retired due to injuries. Apparently it's not just recent NBA players who don't pay child support, maybe the new generation learned from Sampson?