Gerald Wallace facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gerald Wallace

Wallace with the New Jersey Nets in 2012
Personal information
Born	(1982-07-23) July 23, 1982 (age 42) Sylacauga, Alabama, U.S.
High school	Childersburg (Childersburg, Alabama)
Listed height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College	Alabama (2000–2001)
NBA Draft	2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 25th overall
Selected by the Sacramento Kings
Pro career	2001–2015
League	NBA
Career history
2001–2004	Sacramento Kings
2004–2011	Charlotte Bobcats
2011–2012	Portland Trail Blazers
2012–2013	New Jersey / Brooklyn Nets
2013–2015	Boston Celtics
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Star (2010) NBA All-Defensive First Team (2010) NBA steals leader (2006) Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2000) McDonald's All-American (2000) First-team Parade All-American (2000) Alabama Mr. Basketball (2000)
Career NBA statistics
Points	9,933 (11.9 ppg)
Rebounds	4,838 (5.8 rpg)
Assists	1,725 (2.1 apg)

Gerald Jermaine Wallace (born July 23, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player. People called him "Crash" because of his energetic playing style. In 2010, he was chosen as an NBA All-Star and made the NBA All-Defensive First Team while playing for the Charlotte Bobcats. He played college basketball for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

High School and College Basketball

Gerald Wallace went to Childersburg High School in Childersburg, Alabama. He had a very successful time playing basketball there. In his final year, he was named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year. This award goes to the best high school basketball player in the country.

After high school, Wallace played one season for the University of Alabama. Then, he decided to join the 2001 NBA draft. He was picked in the first round as the 25th player overall. During his college year (2000–01), he scored about 9.8 points and grabbed 6.0 rebounds per game.

Professional Basketball Career

Sacramento Kings (2001–2004)

Wallace played three seasons with the Sacramento Kings. He didn't play much, but when he did, he showed how athletic and versatile he was. In the 2002 Slam Dunk Contest, he finished second. On December 1, 2002, Wallace scored a career-high 21 points for the Kings. He also got eight rebounds in a win against the Houston Rockets. The Kings had many great players like Chris Webber and Peja Stojaković, so it was hard for Wallace to get a lot of playing time.

Charlotte Bobcats (2004–2011)

The Charlotte Bobcats picked Wallace in the 2004 NBA Expansion Draft. This meant he was one of the first players for this new team. In his first season, he averaged 11.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. He kept getting better in 2005–06. He averaged 14.5 points and 7 rebounds before getting injured. He was also among the top 10 in the NBA for field goal percentage, blocks, and steals. Only two other players in NBA history, David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon, have averaged over 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals per game in one season.

Wallace was known for his energetic and sometimes risky playing style. This often led to injuries, which earned him the nickname "Crash." He missed many games in his first two years with the Bobcats. However, his high-energy play also helped him get amazing defensive stats. His coach, Bernie Bickerstaff, said that Gerald had to play with high energy to be effective. In 2006, Wallace tried to play more carefully to avoid injuries, but his stats went down. He later improved his play.

Wallace playing defense against Richard Hamilton in 2009

Wallace had a few injuries during his time with the Bobcats. He suffered a concussion in 2008 after an accidental elbow to the face. He also had a partially collapsed lung and a fractured rib in 2009. This happened after a hard foul from Los Angeles Lakers player Andrew Bynum. Because he couldn't fly, he traveled across the United States by bus to get back to Charlotte.

In 2010, Wallace was chosen to play in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. He was the first and only Charlotte Bobcat player to become an All-Star. The Bobcats later changed their name back to the Charlotte Hornets. Wallace also joined the 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest. He was also picked for the USA Basketball Men's National Team.

In the Bobcats' first-ever playoff game, Wallace led the team with 25 points. This was a team record for playoff scoring until Stephen Jackson broke it in the next game. In 2010, Wallace was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. During the 2010–2011 season, he averaged 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.

Wallace is one of only three players in NBA history to average at least two steals and two blocks per game in a full season. The other two are David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon.

Portland Trail Blazers (2011–2012)

On February 24, 2011, Wallace was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He helped the team when their player Brandon Roy was injured. The Trail Blazers made it to the playoffs but lost in the first round. In his next season with the Trail Blazers, Wallace averaged 13.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.

New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets (2012–2013)

Wallace with the Nets

On March 15, 2012, Wallace was traded to the New Jersey Nets. He signed a new contract with the Nets for four years. In his first game of the 2012–13 season, Wallace sprained his left ankle. He also injured his ribs in a game against the Phoenix Suns in January 2013. This happened when a Suns player fouled him hard during a fast break.

Boston Celtics (2013–2015)

Wallace was traded to the Boston Celtics on July 12, 2013. This trade involved several players, including Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, who went to the Nets.

In February 2014, Wallace had to stop playing for the rest of the season. An MRI showed he had a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Later, in 2015, Wallace was traded to the Golden State Warriors. A few days later, he was traded again to the Philadelphia 76ers. He was released by the 76ers in September 2015.

Wallace's last NBA game was on April 26, 2015. It was Game 4 of the 2015 Eastern Conference First Round against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston lost the game.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular Season

Playoffs

Personal Life

Gerald Wallace started The Gerald Wallace Foundation. This foundation helps provide opportunities for children and their families. It focuses on his hometown of Childersburg, Alabama, and Portland, Oregon, where he used to play.

See also

In Spanish: Gerald Wallace para niños