Ben Wallace is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 16 seasons. He was born on September 10, 1974, in White Hall, Alabama, and grew up in rural Alabama. Wallace played college basketball at Virginia Union University, where he was a two-time NCAA Division II Player of the Year.

Wallace began his NBA career in 1996 when he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Bullets. He played for the Bullets for one season before being traded to the Orlando Magic. Wallace played for the Magic for one season before being traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2000.

Wallace's career took off when he joined the Pistons. He quickly became known for his defensive skills, earning the nickname "Big Ben" for his ability to block shots and grab rebounds. He was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, a five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection, and a four-time NBA All-Star.

Wallace played a key role in the Pistons' 2004 NBA championship team, which defeated the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. He was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for his outstanding defensive play in the series.

Wallace played for the Pistons until 2006 when he signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls. He played for the Bulls for two seasons before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2008. Wallace played for the Cavaliers for one season before being traded back to the Pistons in 2009.

Wallace retired from the NBA in 2012 after playing for the Pistons for one more season. He finished his career with averages of 5.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. He ranks 13th all-time in NBA history in total rebounds and 9th all-time in total blocks.

Off the court, Wallace was known for his philanthropic work. He founded the Ben Wallace Foundation, which provides support to underprivileged children and families in his hometown of White Hall, Alabama. He also donated $1 million to Virginia Union University to support scholarships for students.

In conclusion, Ben Wallace was a dominant defensive player in the NBA for over a decade. He was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, a five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection, and a four-time NBA All-Star. He played a key role in the Pistons' 2004 NBA championship team and was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for his outstanding defensive play in the series. Off the court, he was known for his philanthropic work and dedication to his hometown community.

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