Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert Says Former NBA Big Man Ben Wallace Should Be In Hall Of Fame
May 23, 2020, 8:39 PM | Updated: 8:40 pm
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) and Ben Wallace #3 of the Detroit Pistons. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert said that former NBA player Ben Wallace should “100%” be in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Sports Illustrated’s Twitter account posed the question:
“Should Big Ben Wallace be in the Hall Of Fame”?”
Gobert replied, “100%.”
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) May 23, 2020
Ben Wallace
Like Gobert, Wallace was overlooked as a prospect coming into the NBA. He went undrafted in the 1996 NBA Draft.
He joined the Washington Bullets in 1996 but didn’t reach the peak of his game until the early 2000s.
Wallace played in the league from 1996-2012. While he is primarily known for his time with the Detroit Pistons, the center also played for the Bullets/Wizards, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The BEST of Big Ben Wallace! 🔥🏆 pic.twitter.com/fpkP1tZ7EV
— NBA UK (@NBAUK) September 20, 2017
As highlighted by SI’s tweet, “Big Ben” recorded a number of great accomplishments throughout his NBA career including:
- NBA champion (2004)
- Four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2002-06)
- Four-time NBA All-Star (2003-06)
- Five-time All-NBA (2002-06)
- Five-time NBA Defensive First-Team (2002-06)
- Two-time NBA rebounding leader (2002-03)
- NBA blocks leader (2002)
- No. 3 jersey retired by the Detroit Pistons
Congrats, Big Ben Wallace! #FearTheFro (via @NBAHistory) pic.twitter.com/56INI4LAb0
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2016
Rudy Gobert
@bigbills responded to Gobert’s tweet of affirmation Wallace’s hall of fame worth by saying that the Jazzman only said that “so it helps your case.”
Gobert replied back and suggested he’s not worried about his place in basketball lore quite yet.
“I’m 27 years old,” Gobert said. “We will talk about my case later.”
I’m 27 years old we will talk about my case later 👍🏽 https://t.co/oqAPOqOYzF
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) May 24, 2020
Gobert like Wallace is primarily known for his excellent defense. He was also overlooked coming into the league. Despite impressive measurables, Gobert was selected late in the first round with the 27th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
In less than a decade, the Jazz center has posted excellent statistics and brought home multiple individuals awards.
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While he’s still in his prime, Gobert is well on his way to a similar career to Wallace.
So far the Jazzman has reached the following career accomplishments:
- NBA All-Star (2020)
- All-NBA Second Team (2017)
- All-NBA Third Team (2019)
- Two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2018-19)
- Three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team (2017-19)
- NBA blocks leader (2017)
- French Player of the Year (2019)
- Two FIBA World Cup bronze medals
- One Eurobasket bronze medal
NOT ON RUDY GOBERT'S WATCH 😤
He sealed the win for the Jazz with this big block! pic.twitter.com/Ay4EotRxaR
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 27, 2019
Gobert is still in the prime of his NBA playing days and has many more seasons to reach the heights that Wallace did. If Wallace is worthy of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, then the former NBA player’s steps are well worth following in, and Gobert plenty of time to do it.
After all, Gobert plans to talk about his case “later.”
