Happy 41st birthday to Ben Wallace, the best undrafted player in NBA history.
Wallace is one of three undrafted players in NBA history to make an All-Star team (Brad Miller, John Starks). Wallace made four All-Star teams, making him the most decorated undrafted player ever (Miller – 2, Starks – 1).
Wallace ranked in the NBA’s top 10 in blocks percentage and steals percentage in the same season twice. He did it in 2003-04 and again in 2005-06. Over the past 25 seasons, no other player has done it twice and only three others have done it once – David Robinson, Andrei Kirilenko and Nerlens Noel.
Wallace won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times. He is tied for the most Defense Player of the Year awards with Dikembe Mutombo.
Wallace won the NBA title in 2004 with the Pistons. Over the last 15 years, the only other undrafted players to start in the Finals for the eventual champion are Bruce Bowen, Udonis Haslem and Fabricio Oberto.