Last Updated on March 3, 2025 by Mat Diekhake
Rasheed Abdul Wallace, born on September 17, 1974, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a retired American professional basketball player and current coach.
Personal Information:
- Full Name: Rasheed Abdul Wallace
- Nationality: American
- Age: Born 17 September 1974
- Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Height: 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm)
- Weight: 225 pounds (102 kg)
- Wingspan: 6 feet 11 inches
- Shoe Size: Size 17 (US)
Basketball Career:
- High School: Simon Gratz High School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Wallace was a standout player, earning USA Today’s High School Player of the Year honors and being a two-time Parade All-American.
- College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (North Carolina Tar Heels) (1993–1995)
- Played under coach Dean Smith, earning All-American honors before declaring for the NBA Draft after his sophomore year.
- NBA Draft: Selected 4th overall by the Washington Bullets in the 1995 NBA Draft.
- Position: Power Forward / Center
- Jersey Numbers: Wore #30 and #36 during his career.
Teams Played For:
- Washington Bullets (1995–1996): Began his NBA career here, earning NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.
- Portland Trail Blazers (1996–2004): Traded after his rookie season, Wallace became a key player, earning two NBA All-Star selections.
- Atlanta Hawks (2004): Brief stint, playing only one game before being traded.
- Detroit Pistons (2004–2009): Integral part of the team, contributing to an NBA Championship in 2004 and earning two more All-Star selections.
- Boston Celtics (2009–2010): Signed as a free agent, reaching the NBA Finals in 2010.
- New York Knicks (2012–2013): Came out of retirement for one season before retiring again.
Career Achievements:
- NBA Champion: 2004 with the Detroit Pistons.
- NBA All-Star: Four times (2000, 2001, 2006, 2008).
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team: 1996.
Coaching Career:
- Detroit Pistons (2013–2014): Served as an assistant coach.
- Memphis Tigers (2021–2022): Joined Penny Hardaway’s coaching staff as an assistant coach.
Personal Life:
- Parents: Son of Jackie Wallace and Sam Tabb.
- Siblings: Has two older brothers, Malcolm and Muhammed.
- Marital Status: Married to Fatima Sanders since July 18, 1998.
- Children: Four children—Malik (adopted son of Fatima), Ishmiel (from a previous relationship), Nazir, and Rashiyah.
Fun Facts
- Rasheed Wallace is known for his versatility on the court, defensive prowess, and fiery temperament, holding the NBA record for most career ejections.
- His contributions were pivotal in the Detroit Pistons’ 2004 NBA Championship run.
- Post-retirement, Wallace has remained active in basketball through coaching roles.