THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 5, 1996 TAG: 9604050623
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
His tattoo reads ``Big Ben.'' At 6-foot-9 and 220 pounds, Ben Wallace's nickname lacks exaggeration.
But it could speak of more than just his stature. It could also refer to his playing ability. And, more importantly for the Virginia Union athlete, it could also speak of his aspirations - making the NBA.
The tattoo, the game and the drive will are on display at the 44th annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament at Churchland High School this weekend.
``I am going to come out and do the things I do best for the whole tournament,'' Wallace said Wednesday morning in the lobby of Holiday Inn.
To Wallace, playing his best translates to rebounding, playing solid defense and blocking shots. The center averaged 10.5 rebounds a game and blocked 114 shots in addition to averaging 12.5 points a game this season, helping Virginia Union (28-3) advance to the semifinals of the national Division II tournament. The numbers were also good enough for Wallace to earn All-CIAA and All-America status.
``I can't plan to go out and score 20 (points), but I can plan to go out and stop someone from scoring 20 on me,'' said Wallace, who finished with nine points, eight rebounds and two blocks in his PIT debut Wednesday evening.
But regardless of the offensive output, Wallace's arrival could not have come at a better time for Virginia Union coach Dave Robbins.
``Right before Ben came, we lost four seniors that were 110-14 in their four years here,'' Robbins said by telephone from Richmond. ``We signed Ben and (forward) Luther Bates. They immediately brought us back to the upper echelon of our conference.''
In Wallace's two years, the Panthers won two CIAA regular-season titles and the 1995 conference tournament championship.
Now, Wallace is trying to follow the footsteps of former Panthers A.J. English, Terry Davis, Jamie Walker and, in particular, Charles Oakley to the professional level.
All four played in the PIT and all four had stints in the NBA, highlighted by Oakley, who plays forward for the New York Knicks.
``In my two years at Virginia Union, I was always compared to Oakley,'' the criminal justice major said. ``Trying to live up to that name wouldn't be fair to me, so I just tried to play my game.''
In each of Oakley's four years, the Cleveland native averaged double-figure scoring and rebounding, grabbing more than 17 rebounds a game his senior season.
``I knew he was a great player,'' Wallace said. ``He was able to make it to the NBA from Virginia Union. I look at that and say, `That's what I want to do after I finish.' ''
Maybe Oakley's influence on Wallace's past could go full circle.
Oakley noticed Wallace at a basketball camp in Alabama and helped him get into Cleveland's Cuyahoga Community College. While in Ohio, Wallace earned All-America status and transferred to Virginia Union after two years.
And if the past is any indicator, Robbins believes basketball is in Wallace's future.
``I don't like to predict . . . but based on what I've seen, he will be playing pro ball next year,'' Robbins said. ``I'm not saying the NBA, but I will be shocked if he's not playing in some league.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/The Virginian-Pilot
Ben Wallace, with ball, can score, but blocks and boards are his
game, much like ex-Panther Charles Oakley.
by CNB