Fred Kerber of the New York Post reports that Ben Wallace thought his invitation to play for Team USA was a joke. "I was definitely surprised. When I first got the call, I didn't take it serious at all. I thought somebody was playing a practical joke," said Wallace. "Then later on I found out it was for real. I was surprised. I'm still surprised."

He has since earned the respect of the U.S. coach and players. They all knew his game from watching him terrorize the post for the Detroit pistons, but now they admire and appreciate him as a competitor. ?I told him, ?I have a lot of respect for you. I voted for you as Defensive Player of the Year.' And he's better than I thought he was," said U.S. coach George Karl. "The last 10 years we've gone away from that role player that can't score. Ben Wallace is such a winner that he's going to be on the floor. He's an animal out there. He's possessed to play the game. There's a lot of passion, physical strength, determination."

As an undrafted rookie, Wallace paid his own way to his first NBA training camp. Now he is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and one of only a few NBA players to lead the league in rebounds and blocks in the same season.

"That's what I do. That's my calling, to come out and play defense. Coach Karl and everybody told me that's why they got me here, to play defense," said Wallace, who grabbed nine rebounds, blocked four shots and helped wear down 7-5 Yao Ming in the 84-65 victory over China Saturday. "That's how I was taught the game. That's the way I know how to play the game."

"He's a no-nonsense, quiet man," Karl raved. "When I talk to him he says, ?Coach, don't worry about me. Worry about someone else, I'm OK.' He gives you that professional, ?I'm going to be there for you, just tell me what you want.' It's a pleasure to be around him."