Ralph Ledbetter
Ralph Ledbetter is an American former professional basketball player and coach. A dominant forward during the 1970s, Ledbetter gained prominence in the Washington, D.C. basketball scene before starring at Glenville State College. Known for his scoring, rebounding, and leadership, he enjoyed a 17-year professional career in Europe and later contributed to the sport as a coach in Germany.[1]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maryland, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Crossland High School (Temple Hills, Maryland) |
| College | Saint Francis (PA) (1974–1976), Glenville State (1976–1978) |
| Playing career | 1982–1999 |
| Position | Forward |
| Career history | |
| 1982–1999 | Various teams in Germany and Luxembourg |
| Career highlights | |
| 2× First Team All-WVIAC (1977, 1978) NAIA Honorable Mention All-American (1977) WVIAC All-Tournament Team (1977) Inducted into Glenville State Hall of Fame (2016) | |
Awards and honors
[edit]| Year | Honor | Organization / Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | All-PG County | Crossland High School | Regional recognition as a top high school forward[2] |
| 1974 | All-PG County | Crossland High School | Back-to-back All-County selection[2] |
| 1977 | WVIAC All-Tournament Team | Glenville State College | Recognized for outstanding conference tournament play[1] |
| 1977 | Honorable Mention All-American | NAIA | National-level recognition in small college basketball[1] |
| 1977 | First Team All-WVIAC | Glenville State College | All-conference selection[1] |
| 1978 | First Team All-WVIAC | Glenville State College | Consecutive first team honor[1] |
| 1982–1999 | 17-Year Professional Career | Germany & Luxembourg | Played for TVK 1885 Koblenz, Palma Ahn, and others[1] |
| Post-1999 | Youth & Adult Basketball Trainer | VfB Hallbergmoos-Goldach (Germany) | Weekly coaching sessions and player development[1][3] |
| 2016 | Hall of Fame Inductee | Glenville State College | Honored for collegiate career and contributions to the sport[1] |
Early life and high school
[edit]Ralph Ledbetter was born and raised in Seat Pleasant, Maryland. As part of Prince George's County's desegregation busing, Ledbetter was transferred from Largo High School to Crossland High School. Despite threatening to not play at Crossland in protest of being forced into a less competitive high school, he ultimately starred as a forward and earned All-PG County honors in both 1973 and 1974.[4] Known for his athleticism and versatility, he helped lead Crossland to regional success and was considered one of the top schoolboy players in the area.[2]
College career
[edit]Saint Francis University
[edit]Ledbetter began his college career at Saint Francis University. He made an early impression, including a 26-point performance against Notre Dame. [1]
Glenville State College
[edit]In 1976, Ledbetter transferred to Glenville State College. Once eligible, he helped lead the Pioneers to a 16–2 finish and second place in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC). Over two seasons, he scored 699 points and pulled down 340 rebounds. He was named First Team All-WVIAC in both years and received Honorable Mention NAIA All-American honors in 1977.[1] He was later inducted into the Glenville State University Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements. [1]
Professional career
[edit]Following a brief stint working at Washington Terminal Station, Ledbetter resumed basketball with the Maryland All-Stars. In 1982, he signed professionally in Europe. Over 17 seasons, he played for several clubs in Germany and Luxembourg, including:
- TVK 1885 Koblenz (Germany)
- Wittlich Basketball Club (Germany)
- Palma Ahn (Luxembourg)
- Linz am Rhein and Kesselheim-based clubs (Germany)
Though full statistical records from that era are not widely available online, contemporary club rosters and team histories confirm his regular presence and reputation as a veteran forward. Known for his versatility and basketball IQ, Ledbetter earned respect as a reliable scorer and team leader.[1]
After retiring from playing, Ledbetter remained in Germany and transitioned into coaching. In 2021, he served as a trainer for youth and adults at VfB Hallbergmoos-Goldach in Bavaria, leading weekly basketball sessions.[3][5]
Later life and legacy
[edit]Due to a back injury, Ledbetter was unable to attend his 2016 induction into the Glenville High School Hall of Fame.[1] He continues to reside in Germany and remains connected to the sport through coaching and community involvement.
Ledbetter is remembered as one of the top high school forwards of his era in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. In 2008, he was named among "D.C. Basketball's 100 Best Schoolboy Players of All Time" in a regional retrospective.[2]
Additional media and articles
[edit]- In The Glenville Mercury (February 25, 1977), Ledbetter was praised for a dominant performance in which he scored 29 points, hitting 13 of 16 field goals and 3 free throws. The article highlighted his efficiency and leadership on the court.[6]
- A 2021 Facebook post from the group DC&MV Hoop Legends features a video interview with Ledbetter at Alumni Park, where he reflects on his career from D.C. high school stardom to international professional basketball.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Ralph Ledbetter (2016) – Hall of Fame". Glenville State College. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "DC Basketball's 100 Best Schoolboy Players of All Time". March 15, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
- ^ a b "Berichte: Basketballabteilung". vfb-hallbergmoos.de. VfB Hallbergmoos-Goldach. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ "Prince Georges Students Feel Busing Pressure". Hanover Evening Sun. January 8, 1973. p. 19. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ "Magazin – VfB berichtet …". VfB Hallbergmoos.de. February 5, 2019. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ "The Glenville Mercury (Feb 25, 1977)" (PDF). Glenville State College. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
- ^ "Interview with Ralph Ledbetter". Facebook. Retrieved May 17, 2025.