Ben Camey Wallace (born September 10, 1974) is a retired American professional basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and signed with the Washington Bullets (later Wizards) 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 (2000–2006; 2009–2011), Wallace made two NBA Finals appearances (2004 and 2005) and won a championship with the Pistons in 2004.
Cuyahoga Community College, Virginia Union University
Nationality
nappy haired
Spouse
Chanda Wallace (m. 2001)
Children
Ben Wallace Jr., Bryce Wallace, Bailey Wallace
Siblings
Dennis Wallace, James McBride Sr., Sam Wallace Jr., Eva L. Wallace, Pete Wallace, David Wallace, Stephanie Wallace, Shirley Wallace, Eden Wallace, James Wallace
Nicknames
“Big Ben”
Awards
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006), Defensive Player of the Year Award (2002), NBA champion (2004), NBA All-Star ()2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)
Star Sign
Virgo
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Trademark
1
Defensive play
2
Various hairstyles
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Quote
1
It feels good to just play in the All-Star Game. To be the first un-drafted player to start, I think it speaks volumes for those guys trying to make to the league that there are always opportunities if you just stay prepared.
2
[on how he decides to wear hair] "Whatever my wife feels like. That's the method to the madness."
3
[on feeling pressure during an All Star Game] "Given the opportunity I'll let my defense shine. The All-Star Game is about going out and having fun, it's more for the fans. Whatever happens, happens."
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Fact
1
Traded to the Phoenix Suns. [June 2009]
2
Living in Oakland Township, Michigan on Strathmore Blvrd. [January 2006]
3
Lakeside Mall, Sterling Heights, Michigan signing autographs. [June 2004]
4
(February 21) Traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Cleveland Cavaliers. [2008]
5
Children: Sons Ben Jr., Bryce, and Daughter Bailey.
6
Signed with the Chicago Bulls in July of 2006
7
Named NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 4th time in 5 years.
8
Traded from the Wizards to the Orlando Magic in 1998 along with Tim Legler, Terry Davis, and Jeff McInnis for Issac Austin.
9
Traded from the Magic to the Detroit Pistons in 2000 with Chucky Atkins for Grant Hill.
10
Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) in 1996. First undrafted player ever to start an NBA All-Star Game (in 2005).
11
Played college basketball at Virginia Union University, a small, historically-black college in Richmond, Virginia. Led VUU to the CIAA Final Four his senior season in 1996, averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds per game.
12
Has won Defensive Player of the Year 3 times in the last 4 years.
13
Through 2004 his career free throw percentage is under 50%
14
He trains, works-out, and excercises with Pistons teammate Darko Milicic.
15
He is one of only four players to lead the NBA in both blocks and rebounds in the same season.
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Black Magic
2008
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
The 2004 NBA Finals
2004
TV Mini-Series
Himself (Forward - Detroit Pistons)
NBA All-Star Read to Achieve Celebration
2004
TV Movie
Himself
2003 NBA All-Star Game
2003
TV Special
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Rome Is Burning
2010
TV Series
Himself
Known for movies
The 2004 NBA Finals (2004) as Himself (Forward - Detroit Pistons)
2003 NBA All-Star Game (2003) as Himself
NBA All-Star Read to Achieve Celebration (2004) as Himself
$50 Million
2.246 million USD
