Ben Wallace played in his first All-Star Game shortly after his mum's funeral: "I didn't want to let my personal life get involved"
In early February 2003, NBA Hall of Famer Ben Wallace faced a bittersweet moment in his life: just 36 hours after his mother Sadie's funeral, he took to the court for the NBA All-Star game. Despite experiencing immense grief, 'Big Ben' wouldn't miss out on the biggest honor of his athletic career at that time.
"I didn't want to let my personal life get involved in my job," Wallace explained, per The Washington Post.
A resilient journey
Wallace's life, both personal and athletic, has seen its share of highs and lows, but one trait that stands out during his journey is resilience, a trait forged from early on.
Growing up in an impoverished area of rural Alabama, the Wallace family, with their 11 children, had to work hard for every little thing they had. Ben and his seven brothers, for instance, earned the family's first basketball hoop by working at a local pecan farm.
“Growing up in rural Alabama and not having a lot, but having a work ethic and a drive and a determination to not be afraid to go out in the world and work for anything that I wanted. That came from my mom and the way she raised me,” ‘Ben told the Sun.
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In a similar manner, young Wallace hustled to create a pivotal moment in his young athletic career. Earning the $50 registration fee, he charged $3 for haircuts and embarked on the 100-mile journey to the basketball camp led by the legendary Charles Oakley. There, the teenager engaged in a fiercely contested 1-on-1 match against the NBA center, earning his future mentor's respect and enduring support.
From setbacks to stardom
After the 1996 NBA Draft, Wallace's career faced setbacks as he went undrafted. Furthermore, the Celtics later did not sign him after training camp due to concerns about his size and strength for playing the center position.
However, the Blazers and Pistons showed faith in the 6'9" player, with the latter franchise especially benefiting from their trust. The 2004 Pistons championship winning roster became one of the all-time great defensive teams partly due to 'Big Ben.' For instance, he led the league in both rebounding and blocks in 2002, rightfully earning Wallace his first of four DPOY awards in his career.
The highlighted All-Star selection the following season was especially remarkable, as ‘Body’ became the first undrafted player in NBA history to achieve this feat. Despite his mother's absence during this cherished moment, the center felt “no bitterness.”
“If my mom’s not here, that gives her a chance to shine down on me. My mom lived a great life. I know she wanted me to be here. I’m blessed to have had her all that time,” he remarked, per the Baltimore Sun.
Similarly, the late Sadie Wallace would have surely felt immense pride when, in 2021, her son made history again, becoming the first undrafted player in modern NBA history to be elected into the Hall of Fame.
