Sam Leggett is remembered as one of the greatest basketball players in Southwest Minnesota State history. A transfer from the College of Albemarle (N.C.), he came to SMSU in 1974 and twice led the team in scoring, including a school-record 700 points during the 1975-76 season when he was named the NIC Player of the Year. His 1,244 career points in just two seasons stood as the school record until 1986. Sam recorded 23 double-doubles in his career, which places him second in the SMSU record book. Leggett still holds SMSU career records for scoring average (25.9) and rebounding average (10.4), while ranking third in free throw pct. (.841), fifth in field goals made (516) and seventh in scoring (1,244). He also holds the school’s single-season record for points scored (700, 1975-76), scoring average (25.9, 1975-76) and field goals made (290, 1975-76), while sharing a record with 21 rebounds against Northern State in 1976. During his senior season, he led SMSU to a second place finish in the NIC, the highest finish at the time in program history. SMSU had been a combined 4-69 in the three years prior to Leggett’s arrival, before posting 12-9 and 14-13 records in his two seasons. He led both squads in scoring and rebounding, averaging 25.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game as a junior and 25.9 and 11.1 rebounds per game as a senior. He led the NIC in scoring in 1974-75 and led the league in both scoring and rebounding in 1975-76. Leggett was a two-time first team all-conference honoree and was a two-time honorable mention NAIA All-America.
Leggett retired from Washington High School (N.C) in 2008 after working with exceptional children and coaching basketball and golf. He is married to his wife Elizabeth and has two children Athledia and Sam Jr. Since retiring, Leggett has been active with his local church; he enjoys golfing and is learning to play the guitar.