He has played for the Bulls, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Utah Jazz, the Washington Wizards, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Portland Trail Blazers.

He averaged 1.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game through his NBA career and is considered to be a defensive presence on the court.

In an attempt to run the clock out, Ruffin tossed the ball in the air, but it landed in the hands of Toronto's Morris Peterson, who sank a game-tying three-pointer as time expired.

On February 17, 2009, Ruffin was sent to the Sacramento Kings and then to the Portland Trail Blazers for Ike Diogu shortly thereafter in a 3-team trade.

[6] In January 2021, Ruffin became an assistant coach for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League.