Michael Ruffin
Drafted by:
Chicago, Round 2, pick 32.

 
EXPERT ANALYSIS
  "Michael Ruffin is Tulsas all-time leader in blocked shots and rebounds and was a good presence in the middle who, at just 6-8, can get up and swat away shot attempts by bigger men -- as evidenced by the fact that he led the league in blocks (2.6) along with New Mexicos Kenny Thomas.

A fixture on the WAC All-Defensive Team for the past couple of years, Ruffin is quick off of his feet and can move laterally as well. Ruffin, however, is just a defensive player and rebounder, and has no real offensive game. Against Duke in the NCAA Tournament, Ruffin was a non-factor.

Bill Self, head coach at Tulsa, has remarked that Ruffin struggles offensively when he thinks too much instead of reacting. Ruffin does not have a face-up game, and does not have any real post moves. Defensively, Ruffin is a capable post defender, but he does not step out and defend on the perimeter. At just 6-8, he will not have the size or bulk to play inside in the NBA."
-- ESPN's Jay Bilas

College: Tulsa
Height: 6-8
Weight: 248 pounds
Position: Forward
Age: 22 (Jan. 21, 1977)
Birthplace: Denver, Colo.

Career highlights

  • A three-time GTE/CoSIDA District IV Academic All-America selection
  • Named to GTE First Team Academic All-America by CoSIDA after posting 3.77 GPA as a chemical engineering major
  • Tulsa's career leader in rebounds (1,211) and blocked shots (266)
  • Scored 1,209 points to rank 12th on Tulsa's all time list
  • Only player in Tulsa history to reach the 1,000 plateau in both points and rebounds
  • Set a Tulsa record by appearing in 128 games, starting 115
  • Won the WAC player of the week honor six times in his career
  • Posted 41 career double-doubles
  • Was named to the WAC all-defensive team final three seasons at Tulsa
  • At Nike Desert Classic, averaged 9.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, shooting 60 percent from the field

    College highlights
    Senior

  • Helped team reach second round of NCAA Tournament
  • Averaged 11.6 points, 10.4 rebounds (8th in nation), 2.6 blocks (18th in nation) and 1.8 steals per game
  • Earned Second Team all-WAC honors and second team NABC District 12 honors
  • Was the only WAC player to average a double-double (points-rebounds) and posted 16 double-doubles during the season
  • Had a career-high five steals vs. North Texas
  • Had 19 double-digit rebounding games and 22 double-digit scoring games
  • In NCAA Tournament first round game, notched 11 points and 12 rebounds to lead Tulsa to 62-53 victory over Charleston, and was named CBS Chevrolet Player of the Game

    Junior

  • Named to the First Team All-WAC Pacific Division and to the WAC All-Defensive team
  • Led the team in rebounding (9.5 rpg, 27th in nation) and blocked shots (2.5 bpg, 14th in nation)
  • Was second on the team in scoring (10.4 ppg)
  • Was twice selected as WAC's Pacific Division Player of the Week
  • Nearly posted a triple-double vs. Tulane (17 rebounds, 11 points, 9 blocks), with his nine blocks setting a school record
  • Had 17 games with double figures in rebounding and posted 11 double-doubles

    Sophomore

  • Named to the WAC Mountain Division All-Defensive team
  • Led team in rebounding (10.0 rpg), field goal percentage (.563), and blocked shots (1.6)
  • Was named WAC player of the week once
  • Set career-highs of 30 points and 24 rebounds vs. TCU on February 27, 1997
  • Recorded nine double-doubles and grabbed double figures in rebounds in 21 games
  • Set school single-season record with 54 blocked shots

    Freshman

  • Led team in rebounding, grabbing 7.7 rebounds per game
  • Blocked 46 shots
  • Scored season-high 21 points and grabbed season-high 16 rebounds vs. Louisville in NCAA Tournament
  • Had nine double-figure rebounding games
  • Was selected to the Missouri Valley Conference all-Newcomer team

    College statistics
    SEASON G FGM FGA PCT FTM FTA PCT REB AST PTS AVG
    SEASONGFGMFGAPCTFTMFTAPCTREBASTPTSAVG
    1995-963078146.53457123.463232222137.1
    1996-973498174.56395150.633341372918.6
    1997-9831109217.502104154.6752964632210.4
    1998-9933117222.527149247.6033424538312.0
    TOTALS128402759.529405674.600121115012099.4
    Three-point field goals: 1995-96, 0-for-1 (.000); 1996-97, 0-for-1 (.000); 1997-98, 0-for-4 (.000); 1998-99, 0-for-4; Totals: 0-for-10 (.000 ).











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