by Michaela Alfano '25

Ohio Wesleyan senior post Phil Wallace (Akron/Norton) was named North Coast Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week for men's basketball for the week of January 27, but that recognition was much more than a single installment of the conference's weekly honor.

Wallace transferred to Ohio Wesleyan and joined the men's basketball team for the 2023-24 season, but due to a series of medical issues saw no action.  Now, healthy and back to full strength, Wallace has become a starter for the Battling Bishops, making a consistent impact on the squad.

If there is one word to describe Wallace it is perseverance.  Since his junior year of high school, his basketball path has included 3 knee injuries and 5 foot surgeries.

Head Coach Mike DeWitt talked about Wallace, sharing, "I don't know a lot of people that have come back from that many medical issues to be a contributing factor at any level of sport and for him to do that just says a lot about his character and his willingness to work."

When Wallace decided to transfer to Ohio Wesleyan to be closer to home, he knew he had an uphill battle to climb.  During the entirety of the 2023-24 season, all he was able to do was run the scoreboard at practice and be around the team.  Even coming into this season, Wallace did not think he would be ready until halfway through the season.

But, all his focus and determination to get back on the court paid off when he saw some minutes in the Bishops' first home game in November.  After his first game back, Wallace solidified himself as a starter on the squad, being in the starting five in 18 out of 21 games this season.

"He is a bit of a unique player, which is why we wanted him to come to Ohio Wesleyan.  He's a bigger player who can play both inside and outside and a lot of our opponents at that position just don't have that type of skill set," DeWitt said.

Wallace has the ability to bring strong elements to the offensive side of the game, consistently shooting 3-pointers, which is something the Bishop team really leans into.  He can dribble, shoot, and create plays that no one can see coming.  His skill set fits in with not only the offensive end of the team but also the defensive area.  Though defense may not have originally been his strong suit, he has grown tremendously in that area because of his dedication to the game.

Although Wallace never wanted to be sidelined with injury as much as he was, it did allow him to learn more about the game just by watching.  The mental repetition of running plays in his mind, understanding areas he could improve, and reminding himself he could never take playing for granted made his comeback even stronger.

"I used to not be as good as a defender and not take it as seriously," said Wallace. "But not playing made me realize how important it is."

When it did come time for Wallace to return, no one knew what to expect.  He had been off the court for a year and a half.  He started slow, even now there are slow days, but the process has been worth it.  He was tasked with getting back into shape, connecting with new teammates, and learning an entire new system both offensively and defensively.  As he has gotten more comfortable in the system, his confidence on the ball has grown.  Coming into the program, Wallace was good, but his talent has shown through day in and out as he's honed the details of the game.

Wallace was incredibly committed to making his return to the court, even going as far as to shoot one-legged shots when he was able to get involved in practices.  He could be found dribbling on the sideline and doing ball work, even when he wasn't able to race up and down the court.  His goals were set, fully focused on making his return, so even those little ways to continue to train kept him ready.

The selection for this NCAC Athlete of the Week honor didn't come because Wallace scored the most points or had the most rebounds, but because he made unique and crucial plays.  He is the kind of player who can come up big when needed, not just once but in consecutive games down the stretch.  DeWitt mentioned that any time one individual of the team is selected for an award like this, the team as a whole should take great pride in that.  Ultimately, it reflects on them as a whole, not just the individual.  On a personal note, Wallace shared that the honor boosted his confidence.

He often thinks about what kind of player he would be if he hadn't been faced with so many medical issues, but this recognition reinforced the idea that this is what he is meant to be doing.  Just because he is not the same player as before does not mean he is not as good.  His game just looks different than before.

One specific injury sidelined Wallace for almost a year and a half.  He wasn't able to run or drive, which halted his ability to play basketball.  He was cleared only two weeks before the season started.  He mentioned not knowing if he was ready to play and how much he would play.  There was a big question mark over him, not only from his own lens but also from the coaches.  But, his drive to get back showed.  It was hard work but the team took a chance on him to make an impact.

"I keep reminding myself the fact that I'm even playing right now is a blessing," said Wallace.  "I mean, I have friends that have had injuries and are no longer playing anymore.  So I just feel blessed that I can play right now after everything I've been through."

In October, no one thought Wallace would be here, winning Athlete of the Week honors and making an impact in the way he has.  But, at the end of the day, it shows his commitment to basketball and he is just going to keep getting better as he warms back up to the court.  As he said, you never know when your last game will be so he makes sure to never take any moment for granted.