Ben Wallace named to Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

Ben Wallace may one day soon be considered for the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame, but now he has a spot in the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame along with fellow former Detroit Piston John Long.

Ben Wallace was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame this past weekend along with fellow former Detroit Piston John Long. Other inductees in the star-studded class included former Detroit Red Wings Brendan Shanahan and Chris Osgood and sportswriter Tom Gage.

Wallace is one of the most beloved and decorated players in Pistons’ history, helping lead the 2004 Pistons to an NBA championship. He was a four-time All Star and was named Defensive Player of the Year a record four times between 2002 and 2006.

John Long played in Detroit for 10 years, averaging 14.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game with the Pistons. The shooting guard was born on August 28th, 1956, and his NBA career spanned from 1978 until 1991. He then took a six-year hiatus before making a brief comeback with the Toronto Raptors in 1996-97.

Long was a true local hero. He was born in Romulus, Michigan and went to high school there. He also attended the University of Detroit Mercy and played his collegiate ball there.

The next big Hall of Fame related event for former Pistons may come in a year. That’s when Wallace becomes eligible for induction into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame. While some observers might suggest his resume is a little thin, he’s an NBA champion who will go down as one of the best defenders of all time.

Don’t sell Big Ben short. He may be working his way into more Halls before all is said and done.