Just a few years ago, the Detroit Pistons saw one of their organization’s most remarkable players enter the Basketball Hall of Fame. On Wednesday, they shared the memory of Ben Wallace’s major achievement.
Four-time All-Star Ben Wallace spent much of his time with the Pistons. After going undrafted in 1996, Wallace spent one season in Italy.
After a year with an Italian team, Wallace joined the NBA, joining the Washington Wizards organization. After a three-year stint in Washington, Wallace joined the Orlando Magic in 1999. He landed in Orlando via trade and spent one season with the Magic.
The following offseason, the Pistons attempted to sign Wallace. Detroit landed a center who would stay with the team for six seasons. Wallace’s time in Detroit was his most notable period.
Wallace was a two-time NBA rebounding champion. During the 2001β02 season, he averaged 13 rebounds per game. During that same season, he also had a league-high four blocks per game.
During the 2002β03 NBA season, Wallace averaged a career-high 15 rebounds per game. He once again led the NBA in rebounds per game while scoring seven points per game and blocking three shots per game.
In 2003β04, Wallace played a pivotal role in Detroit’s NBA Finals victory. That year, Wallace averaged ten points, twelve rebounds, two steals, and three blocks per game during the regular season. In the playoffs, he posted similar numbers in 23 games, helping the Pistons win the NBA title.
Wallace ended his career in Detroit in 2006. He then signed a four-year contract with the Chicago Bulls to test the free agent market. After two seasons in Chicago, Wallace was included in a trade, landing with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The veteran center played out the final two seasons of his contract with the Cavs. When he hit the free-agent market, Wallace decided to return to Detroit. Initially, he was signed to a one-year deal with the team. The following summer, he was re-signed. Wallace ended up spending three more seasons with the Pistons to finish out his career.
Three years ago today, Ben Wallace was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fameπ pic.twitter.com/NsJ1rIWYh5
β Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) September 11, 2024
When Wallace ended his career, he finished with a storied resume. The Hall of Fame center punched his ticket to becoming a one-time NBA champion, four-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA Second Team, two-time All-NBA Third Team, four-time Defensive Player of the Year, five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team and one-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team.