Ralph Ledbetter
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{{Short description|American basketball player and international professional}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Ralph Ledbetter
| position = Forward
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| birth_place = Maryland, U.S.
| nationality = American
| high_school = Crossland High School (Temple Hills, Maryland)
| college =
* Saint Francis (PA) (1974–1976)
* Glenville State (1976–1978)
| career_start = 1982
| career_end = 1999
| years1 = 1982–1999
| team1 = Various teams in Germany and Luxembourg
| highlights =
* 2× First Team All-WVIAC (1977, 1978)
* NAIA Honorable Mention All-American (1977)
* WVIAC All-Tournament Team (1977)
* Glenville State Hall of Fame inductee (2016)
}}
Ralph Ledbetter is a former American 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.{{cite web |title=Ralph Ledbetter (2016) – Hall of Fame |url=https://gstatepioneers.com/honors/hall-of-fame/ralph-ledbetter/89 |publisher=Glenville State College |access-date=May 17, 2025}}
Awards and honors
| class="wikitable" style="width:70%; background:#f9f9f9; text-align:center;"
! style="background:#d0e0ff;" | Year ! style="background:#d0e0ff;" | Award ! style="background:#d0e0ff;" | Organization / Team ! style="background:#d0e0ff;" | Notes | |||
| 1973 | style="background:#e6ffe6;" | All-PG County | Crossland High School | Regional recognition{{cite web |title=DC Basketball's 100 Best Schoolboy Players of All Time |date=March 15, 2008 |url=https://dcbasketball.wordpress.com/2008/03/15/dc-basketballs-100-best-schoolboy-players-of-all-time/ |access-date=May 17, 2025}} |
| 1974 | style="background:#e6ffe6;" | All-PG County | Crossland High School | Back-to-back selection |
| 1977 | style="background:#ffffcc;" | WVIAC All-Tournament Team | Glenville State | Standout in conference tournament |
| 1977 | style="background:#ffd9b3;" | Honorable Mention All-American | NAIA | National recognition |
| 1977 | style="background:#ffcccc;" | First Team All-WVIAC | Glenville State | Conference first team |
| 1978 | style="background:#ffcccc;" | First Team All-WVIAC | Glenville State | Second consecutive honor |
| 2016 | style="background:#ccccff;" | Hall of Fame Inductee | Glenville State College | Career recognition |
| 1982–1999 | style="background:#ffe6cc;" | 17-Year Pro Career | Germany & Luxembourg | Played for TVK Koblenz, Palma Ahn, and others |
| Post-1999 | style="background:#e0f7fa;" | Head Coach | Hallbergmoos (Germany) | Coached youth and adult teams |
Early life and high school
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.{{Cite news |date=8 January 1973 |title=Prince Georges Students Feel Busing Pressure |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun/173047232/ |access-date=24 May 2025 |work=Hanover Evening Sun |pages=19}} 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.
College career
=Saint Francis University=
Ledbetter began his college career at Saint Francis University. He made an early impression, including a 26-point performance against Notre Dame.
=Glenville State College=
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. He was later inducted into the Glenville State University Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements.
Professional career
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)
Known for his versatility and basketball IQ, Ledbetter earned respect as a reliable scorer and veteran leader throughout his European career.
Coaching and later life
After retiring from playing, Ledbetter became a coach in Germany, where he led youth, men's, and women's teams. He later headed the basketball program in Hallbergmoos. Although he was unable to attend his 2016 Glenville Hall of Fame induction due to a back injury, he continues to be involved in the game. He lives in Germany with his wife, Monique, and their son, Justin.
Additional media and articles
- 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.{{cite web |title=The Glenville Mercury (Feb 25, 1977) |url=https://www.glenville.edu/sites/default/files/assets/mercury_19770225.pdf |publisher=Glenville State College |access-date=May 17, 2025}}
- 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.{{cite web |title=Interview with Ralph Ledbetter |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/1507158972959564/posts/2490251847983600/ |website=Facebook |access-date=May 17, 2025}}