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James Ratiff

1958 – 2020

American basketball player

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About James Ratiff

Lived 1958 – 2020 (aged 61). James Ratiff was an American basketball player.

James Ratiff (April 9, 1958 – January 4, 2020) was an American basketball player. A power forward from Washington, D.C., he was known for his high school and collegiate careers.

Ratiff attended Eastern High School in Washington, D.C. He was one of the most highly touted recruits in the nation. As a senior, Ratiff averaged 25 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks per game. He was named to the inaugural McDonald's All-American team, which played in the 1977 Capital Classic. For a time, Virginia Tech thought they were going to sign him as a recruit. Ratiff ended up choosing Tennessee instead. In 1977–78, he spent his freshman season playing for the Volunteers and averaged 5.4 points and four rebounds per game.

After his collegiate career ended, Ratiff was selected in the 1982 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks (8th round, 172nd pick overall). He never played in the NBA, however.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Eastern High School, Howard University
Awards
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference; Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year; Parade All-America Boys Basketball Team

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped James Ratiff's

Frequently asked questions

Who was James Ratiff?

American basketball player (1958–2020)

When was James Ratiff born?

James Ratiff was born on 9 April 1958 in Washington, D.C..

When did James Ratiff die?

James Ratiff died on 4 January 2020.

What was James Ratiff's occupation?

James Ratiff was a basketball player.

What nationality was James Ratiff?

James Ratiff was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: James Ratiff

· Wikidata: Q6141870

· DBpedia: James Ratiff

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Ratiff. https://biography.guide/james-ratiff/

MLA: "James Ratiff." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-ratiff/.

Chicago: "James Ratiff." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-ratiff/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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