Background
Ruffner was born on in Downey, California.
Ruffner was born on in Downey, California.
Warren High School.
He played basketball at Earl Warren High School in Downey, California. A 6"10" center, Ruffner played college basketball for Brigham Young University. The Chicago Bulls selected Ruffner in the second round of the 1970 National Basketball Association Draft and the Virginia Squires selected him in the 1970 American Bar Association draft.
Ruffner signed with the Bulls.
Ruffner played his rookie season, 1970-1971, with the Bulls. Ruffner played for the Pittsburgh Condors of the American Bar Association in the next season.
After a year out of both leagues, Ruffner played during the 1973-1974 and 1974-1975 seasons for the National Basketball Association"s Buffalo Braves. Ruffner then landed with the Baltimore Claws but the team folded after a few preseason exhibition games.
Ruffner concluded his professional career in the final season before the American Bar Association-National Basketball Association merger by appearing in two games for the Spirits of Saint Louis during the 1975-1976 campaign.