FIBA Basketball
USA - Wallace enjoys another NBA award
NEW YORK, (NBA) - Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace has collected the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award for the fourth time in five seasons. Wallace, the only player to finish the season among the league's top
NEW YORK, (NBA) - Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace has collected the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award for the fourth time in five seasons.
Wallace, the only player to finish the season among the league's top 10 in rebounds, blocks and steals, became just the second player to win the award four times when balloting was revealed on Monday.
Congolese center Dikembe Mutombo is the only other four-time winner.
After averaging 11.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and a career-high 1.8 steals to anchor a defence that ranked third for fewest points allowed (90.2), Wallace received 58 of 124 first-place votes and 420 points from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada.
Team USA forward Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs was the runner-up to Wallace for the second consecutive year. He finished with 38 first-place votes and 308 points.
Bowen has been named to the provisional Team USA squad for the FIBA World Championship in Japan this year.
The 31-year-old Wallace also won the award in 2002, 2003 and 2005. He is only the fifth player in NBA history to record 100 blocks and 100 steals in six consecutive seasons.
Russia forward Andrei Kirilenko was third with 121 points, including 12 first-place votes.
Seven players received first-place votes, including 2004 winner Ron Artest of the Sacramento Kings with six
PA Sport
Wallace, the only player to finish the season among the league's top 10 in rebounds, blocks and steals, became just the second player to win the award four times when balloting was revealed on Monday.
Congolese center Dikembe Mutombo is the only other four-time winner.
After averaging 11.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and a career-high 1.8 steals to anchor a defence that ranked third for fewest points allowed (90.2), Wallace received 58 of 124 first-place votes and 420 points from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada.
Team USA forward Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs was the runner-up to Wallace for the second consecutive year. He finished with 38 first-place votes and 308 points.
Bowen has been named to the provisional Team USA squad for the FIBA World Championship in Japan this year.
The 31-year-old Wallace also won the award in 2002, 2003 and 2005. He is only the fifth player in NBA history to record 100 blocks and 100 steals in six consecutive seasons.
Russia forward Andrei Kirilenko was third with 121 points, including 12 first-place votes.
Seven players received first-place votes, including 2004 winner Ron Artest of the Sacramento Kings with six
PA Sport