Ben Wallace: A Basketball Reference

Ben Wallace is a former American professional basketball player who played 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a four-Ime Nba All-Star, and was voted the NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice. He won an NBA Championship with the Pistons in 2004, and was a two-time All-NBA team member. Wallace was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of basketball, and was often referred to as “The Professor” by ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy

Ben Wallace: A Defensive stalwart

Standing 6’9’’ and weighing 240 pounds, Ben Wallace was an intimidating figure on the court. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1996 NBA draft by the Washington Bullets (now known as the Wizards). He was immediately thrust into a starting role and became one of the best Defensive Players in the league, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2002 and 2003. He was traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2004 and played a key role in their championship run in 2004. Wallace continued to be one of the best defensive players in the league until he retired in 2012.

Ben Wallace: A Rebounding Machine

In a sport where size usually matters, Ben Wallace proved that heart and hustle go a long way. The 6’9” center is one of the best rebounders in NBA history and helped lead the Detroit Pistons to an unlikely NBA Championship in 2004.

Benjamin “Ben” Wallace was born on September 10, 1974, in White Hall, Alabama. He played college basketball at Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University. He was not drafted by an NBA team but signed with the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) as a free agent in 1996.

Wallace quickly became known for his defensive prowess and rebounding ability. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team four times (2000-2003) and the First Team twice (2004-2005). He won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2002-2003 and again in 2004-2005. He led the league in rebounds per game four times (2002-2003, 2004-2006) and is one of only three players to do so in consecutive seasons. He is also first all-time in defensive rebounds per game

In 2003, Wallace was traded to the Detroit Pistons as part of a six-player deal. It was with the Pistons that Wallace had his greatest success. In 2004, he helped lead Detroit to their first NBA championship since 1990. The Pistons were heavy underdogs against the much more talented Los Angeles Lakers, but Wallace’s defense and rebounding were pivotal as they upset LA in five games. For his efforts, Wallace was named MVP of the NBA Finals

After 12 seasons in the NBA, Ben Wallace announced his retirement from basketball in 2012. He finished his career with averages of 5.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal per game. Although he never won a regular season MVP Award or an individual Scoring Title few players have made such a big impact on the game without scoring a lot of points. Ben Wallace is one of the best defensive players and rebounders in NBA history and will be remembered as one of the hardworking players who helped make basketball great

Ben Wallace: A 6x NBA All-Star

Ben Wallace was drafted by the Washington Bullets (now the Washington Wizards) with the fourth pick in the 1996 NBA Draft He was traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2000. In his first season with the Pistons, he helped lead them to the Eastern Conference Finals. The following year, he was voted Defensive Player of the Year and led them to an NBA championship He was a four-time NBA All-Star and a six-time member of the NBA All-Defensive team He won another NBA Championship with the Pistons in 2004. He played for the Chicago Bulls from 2006 to 2009, and returned to the Pistons for two more seasons before retiring in 2012.

Ben Wallace: A 4x NBA All-Defensive First Team

Benjamin “Ben” Crawford Wallace (born September 10, 1974) is an American former professional basketball player He played 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Washington Bullets/Wizards, Orlando Magic Detroit Pistons Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers A four-time NBA All-Star he was voted as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2002–03 and 2005–06, and was a five-time member of the All-NBA Defensive Teams

Ben Wallace: A 2x NBA Defensive Player of the Year

The 2x NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2002, 2005), Ben Wallace was one of the best defensive big men in NBA history A 6x All-Star and 4x All-NBA selection, Wallace was known for his tenacious defense, shot-blocking ability, and rebounding. He was an integral part of the 2004 Detroit Pistons team that won the NBA Championship and he remains one of the franchise’s all-time leaders in several statistical categories.

Ben Wallace: A 2x NBA Rebounding Champion

Benjamin Munyao Wallace (born September 10, 1974) is an American former Professional Basketball player. A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University, and signed with the Washington Bullets as an undrafted free agent in 1996. In his NBA Career Wallace played with the Washington Bullets/Wizards, Orlando Magic Detroit Pistons Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers He won the NBA defensive player of the Year Award four times, a record he shares with Dikembe Mutombo In nine seasons with the Pistons, Wallace made two NBA Finals appearances and won a championship with the Pistons in 2004. He was traded to the Chicago Bulls after the 2007–08 season was over. After one season with the Bulls he was traded back to the Cavaliers. He played his final NBA game on April 13, 2012.

Wallace was born in White Hall, Alabama; overdosed on heroin at age two which caused him permanent brain damage that affected his memory for years afterwards; only knew six letters of the alphabet until he was 16; his maternal grandmother took him in after she kicked out his mother for being addicted to drugs; as a result of not being able to read or write for so many years along with speech impediments he had developed as a toddler from his heroin addiction, he has been quoted as saying that “I pretty much grew up dumb”; At UMS-Wright Preparatory School in Mobile he was coached by Larry Banks who helped increase his grades and SAT scores so that he could attend college.

Ben Wallace: An NBA Champion

Ben Wallace is a former professional basketball player who played 16 seasons in the NBA. He was a four-time NBA All-Star a two-time All-NBA Defensive first team selection, and a five-time All-Defensive first team selection. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2002–03, and led the league in rebounding four times. He was a member of the Detroit Pistons teams that won consecutive NBA championships in 2004 and 2005. Wallace was born and raised in Alabama, and attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University.

Ben Wallace: A Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer

Benjamin “Ben” Stanley Wallace (born September 10, 1974) is an American professional basketball player who is currently a Free Agent A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University before being selected in the second round (36th pick overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets (now known as the Washington Wizards). In his NBA career Wallace played with the Bullets/Wizards, Detroit Pistons Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers He won the NBA Defensive Player of the year award four times, a record he shares with Dikembe Mutombo He was a NBA All-Star in 2003,2006,2008 and 2009. Ben Wallace was voted one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996.

Ben Wallace: One of the Greatest Undersized players in NBA History

Ben Wallace is one of the most accomplished and decorated players in NBA history He is a four-time NBA All-Star five-time All-Defensive First Team selection, four-time Defensive Player of the Year, and was a key member of the Detroit Pistons teams that won back-to-back NBA Championships in 2004 and 2005.

What made Wallace so special was his combination of size, strength, athleticism, and skill. At 6’9″, he was undersized for a Power Forward or center, but he more than made up for it with his tremendous physical gifts. He was an explosive leaper who could finish above the rim with ease, and he used his powerful frame to become one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the league.

In addition to his physical gifts, Wallace also had a rare understanding of the game. He knew how to use his body to advantage on both ends of the court, and he was always in the right place at the right time. His basketball IQ was off the charts, and it resulted in him being one of the most efficient players in NBA history

Ben Wallace is one of the greatest players ever to don an NBA uniform and he will go down as one of the greatest undersized players in league history. His impact on the game cannot be overstated, and he will be remembered as one of the all-time greats.

Ben Wallace: A Basketball Reference