Ralph Ledbetter

Ralph Ledbetter is an American former college basketball player and coach. A standout forward in the 1970s, Ledbetter gained prominence in the competitive Washington, D.C. high school basketball circuit before playing NCAA Division I basketball at Saint Francis (PA). He later transferred to Glenville State College, where he earned back-to-back First Team All-WVIAC honors and NAIA All-American recognition. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. An African American trailblazer in small-college athletics, Ledbetter was again honored in 2023 during Glenville’s Black History Month celebration for his lasting impact on the program and legacy as a student-athlete.^[1][2]

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.^[3] Known for his athleticism and versatility, he helped lead Crossland to regional success and was regarded as one of the most talented high school forwards in the Washington metropolitan area.^[4] He was also named to the Washington Post All-Met Basketball Team in both 1973 and 1974, becoming a rare two-time selection.^[5]

Ledbetter began his NCAA Division I career at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, playing for the Red Flash from 1974 to 1976. Over two seasons, he averaged a double-double: 11.6 rebounds and 14.1 points per game, shooting .543 from the field.^[6] One of his standout performances came at South Bend, Indiana, where he scored 26 points in a notable game against the Notre Dame in the 1975–76 season—highlighting his ability to excel at the Division I level. ^[7]

In that game, facing a nationally ranked Notre Dame team led by All-American Adrian Dantley, Ledbetter’s 26-point effort drew regional praise and showcased his scoring ability on a national stage. ^[7]

Ledbetter delivered one of the most memorable performances of his Saint Francis career by scoring 26 points against a nationally ranked Notre Dame team led by All-American Adrian Dantley. Despite the lopsided outcome, his scoring effort stood out as a bright spot and earned regional recognition.^[7]

— The New York Times, December 14, 1975

During his two seasons at Saint Francis University, Ledbetter made an immediate impact at the NCAA Division I level:

• Averaged 14.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game across 44 appearances.^[6]

• Posted a .543 field goal percentage, ranking among the team's most efficient scorers.^[6]

• Recorded a standout 26-point performance against Notre Dame during the 1975–76 season.^[1]

• Tallied 12 double-doubles over two seasons, showing consistency as a two-way forward.^[6]

• Helped lead the team through a transitional period as an independent in Division I competition.

His productivity and versatility at Saint Francis laid the foundation for his successful transfer to Glenville State.

Ledbetter’s college stats are documented at Sports-Reference.com.^[8]

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]

Ralph Ledbetter, playing with an energy‑eating cold, turned in his best performance of his short season, knocking in 22 points, pulling down 13 missed shots, and rejecting numerous other ones.

— The Glenville Mercury, January 14, 1977^[9]

His Glenville State statistics and honors are documented by the Glenville State College Hall of Fame.^[10]

In 2016, Ledbetter was inducted into the Glenville State University Athletic Hall of Fame—one of the school's highest honors—recognizing his lasting impact on the program. His dual All-WVIAC selections, national NAIA recognition, and leadership on the court were cited as key reasons for the honor.

Glenville described his legacy as "a model of excellence on and off the court."

— Glenville State University Hall of Fame^[1]

In February 2023, Ledbetter was among 20 African American inductees into the Curtis Elam Athletic Hall of Fame recognized by Glenville State University during its Black History Month celebration.^[2] His contributions were highlighted as part of a broader institutional effort to spotlight Black excellence across athletics, academics, and student life.^[2]

Glenville State celebrated the legacies of 20 Black Hall of Fame athletes during Black History Month 2023, recognizing their lasting impact on the university’s culture of excellence. The commemoration was part of a series of campus-wide events focused on honoring Black heritage, building community, and sharing stories of achievement.

— Glenville State University^[11]

This recognition underscored the lasting impact of Ledbetter’s achievements on and off the court—and served as a fitting prelude to the next chapter of his basketball journey.

Building on his collegiate success, Ledbetter entered the professional ranks following the 1978 NBA draft, where he went undrafted. After briefly working at Washington Terminal Station, he resumed his basketball career with the Maryland All-Stars, a regional semi-professional team that provided a platform for players pursuing professional opportunities. According to his official Hall of Fame biography at Glenville State University, his performance with the Maryland All-Stars helped him secure a contract in 1982 to play professionally in Europe.^[1]

He went on to enjoy a 17-year professional career, competing for clubs in Germany and Luxembourg. His teams included TVK 1885 Koblenz, Wittlich Basketball Club, Palma Ahn, and various squads based in Linz am Rhein and Kesselheim.

While comprehensive statistics from that era remain scarce, Ledbetter was consistently recognized as a versatile forward and reliable contributor on both ends of the court. His longevity overseas reflected not only his athletic skill but also his ability to adapt, lead, and mentor within a diverse range of team environments.^[1]

Head of Basketball at VfB Hallbergmoos-Goldach – After retiring from professional play, Ledbetter began coaching youth, men’s, and women’s teams, eventually becoming the head of basketball at VfB Hallbergmoos-Goldach, a multi-sport club located near Munich.^[12]

• The New York Times (December 14, 1975) covered Ledbetter’s 26-point performance against nationally ranked Notre Dame, calling it a bright spot for Saint Francis in a tough matchup led by All-American Adrian Dantley.^[7]

• The Glenville Mercury (February 25, 1977) praised Ledbetter 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.^[14]

• The Glenville Mercury (November 4, 1977) recognized Ledbetter as one of the team’s most consistent performers, contributing key rebounds and inside scoring during the early part of the season.^[15]

• The Bedford County Press and Everett Press (February 9, 1978) mentioned Ledbetter’s strong presence in Glenville State’s victory, citing his rebounding and second-chance scoring.^[16]

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (February 8, 1978) highlighted Ledbetter's contribution in a conference matchup, describing his control of the paint and consistent mid-range shooting.^[17]

• Glenville State University featured Ledbetter in its 2023 Black History Month spotlight on Athletic Hall of Famers, honoring his legacy as one of the school's most celebrated basketball alumni.^[18]

• The Duquesne Duke (1978) recapped a Glenville–Duquesne matchup, where Ledbetter’s scoring was instrumental despite Glenville’s loss. The game account noted his poise and high shooting percentage.^[19]

• VfB Hallbergmoos (March 1, 2025) noted that Ralph Ledbetter—now coaching youth in Germany—visited a local middle school and, starting in April, began training eighth graders as part of the club’s renewed basketball program.^[20]

Following the formal recognition of his contributions by Glenville State University—first with his 2016 Hall of Fame induction and later through a 2023 institutional tribute to Black athletic excellence—Ledbetter continued to make an impact off the court. He settled in Germany, where he remained active as a coach and mentor, leading youth development programs and working with clubs such as VfB Hallbergmoos-Goldach. His efforts helped extend his influence internationally through grassroots training and community engagement.^[13][21]

As one of the few African American stars in Glenville’s basketball program during the 1970s, Ledbetter helped break racial barriers in small-college athletics and remains a symbol of excellence and progress for future generations of Black student-athletes.^[1][2]

Ledbetter is also remembered as one of the premier high school forwards to emerge from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. A standout at Crossland High School, he helped define a golden era of basketball talent from Prince George's County, Maryland. He played in the same era and circuits as future pros Jo Jo Hunter, James "Turk" Tillman, and Stacey Robinson, all of whom contributed to the rich basketball tradition of the Washington, D.C. region. In 2008, he was named among "D.C. Basketball's 100 Best Schoolboy Players of All Time" in a regional retrospective.^[4]

Ralph Ledbetter is married and has one son. After retiring from professional basketball, he settled in Germany, where he and his family have remained active in the local community.^[13]

• Jo Jo Hunter
• Stacey Robinson
• Curt Smith (basketball)
• James "Turk" Tillman
• Kenny Matthews
• Joe Holston