Wallace was never a scorer, the most points a game he ever averaged 14 during his first year at Virginia Union. He was though a fantastic defender and one of the best defenders the game has ever seen. Wallace was not even offered a scholarship to any university after graduating high school, instead he went to Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland where he played two years before finally being offered a scholarship to Virginia Union. He played two years at Virginia Union averaging a double-double both seasons before graduating. In 62 career games he averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds.

No NBA team drafted Wallace in the 1996 NBA draft. He instead had to earn a spot on the Washington Bullets training camp squad, which he did. The 1996 Wizards had one of the deepest power forward combo trio’s in NBA history with Chris Webber, Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace. Ben Wallace became the third player in the rotation and was used sparingly appearing in just 34 games as a rookie averaging 1 point a contest.

Wallace would remain in a 12th man role for two of his three seasons with the Bullets who became the Wizards his second season. Wallace did crack the rotation in the lockout season and became their sixth man appearing in 46 of 50 games and averaging 6 points and 8 rebounds.

After three seasons with the Wizards Wallace was traded to the Orlando Magic in a package for Isaac Austin. In his one season with the Magic Wallace averaged 5 points and 8 rebounds a game, but he did became their full time starting center and was earning a reputation as one of the games better defenders.

The Orlando Magic traded Wallace and Chucky Atkins to the Pistons for Grant Hill in what would become one of the most one-sided trades in NBA history. The Magic got an injured Hill who destroyed their cap and hardly played while the Pistons got a defensive anchor which helped them win an NBA title.

Wallace’s years with the Pistons are considered his best. He started every game with the Pistons during this tenure. Once joining the Pistons Wallace’s rebound numbers soared from 8 to 13 a game. His scoring stayed relatively the same with the high being 10 a game in 2005.

Wallace lead the NBA in rebounds in 2002 and 2003 with a career high 15 boards a game in 2003 and he lead the league in blocks as well in 2002. The defensive provided by Wallace helped make the Pistons a constantly playoff threat and they would make the eastern finals 4 times with him and the NBA finals twice winning the title in 2004 and nearly winning it in 2005.

After six years with the Pistons Wallace signed with the Chicago Bulls. The love affair he felt in Detroit would not transfer to the Bulls as the team struggled to live up to expectations and Wallace was traded a season and a half into his new contract to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Wallace would became a role player with the Cavs as age seemed to have caught up to him. He was no longer this athletic shot blocker and rebounded but did continue to put up respectable numbers. He played a season and a half with the Cavs before being traded to Phoenix for Shaquille O’Neal. The Suns would waive Wallace and he would sign with the Pistons once again.

Wallace played this past season with the Pistons averaging 8 rebounds and 6 points and recently re-signed with them and it appears he will finish his career there.

In 972 career games Wallace has appeared in he owns averages of 6 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks. He has also been selected to the all-star game 4 times in his career.

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