Happy (belated) birthday, Latrell “Spree” Sprewell and Ben “Big Ben” Wallace!

[And1 Baller Birthday – 09.27.11] - Happy (belated) birthday, Latrell “Spree” Sprewell and Ben “Big Ben” Wallace!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: Various (NBA / GettyImages.com / various sources)

Former NBA player (1992-2005) Latrell Sprewell celebrated his birthday last September 8 (born 1970, 41 this year). He played for 3 NBA teams in his professional basketball career (Golden State, New York, and Minnesota).

Sneakerheads remember his stint with the NY Knicks most prominently due to his And1 kicks which matched his brash, energetic play and ultimately gave NBA-cred to the And1 brand back in the late 90's-early 2000's.

Among his most memorable And1 pairs include Finger Roll Mid, Mad Game Select Mid, Taichi Mid (various CWs), 2Chi Mid, and of course, the Spree Mid (which also came out in Lows.)

For those who no longer remember the player simply known as "Spree", his career highlights include 4 All-Star game selections, was All NBA 1st team in 1994, and also made it the All-NBA Defensive 2nd team the same year.

Spree's shots in And1 kicks below:

(And1 Finger Roll)

(Battling down love versus "The Glove" in And1 Spree Mid)

(And1 Mad Game Select Mid)

(And1 Taichi Mids)

Another September birthday boy is former four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year awardee, Ben Wallace (born September 10, 1974, now 37). Known for being one of the most feared shotblockers and rebounders for the Detroit squad that won the NBA title back in 2004, Big Ben repped And1 proudly in the No Pain, No Game training series as well as having his own signature pair, the And1 Chosen Mids.

Still currently playing for the NBA team Detroit Pistons (second stint), Big Ben also plied his wares for Washington Bullets/Wizards, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers. His most memorable And1 pairs include the Rekanize Mid, 2Chi Mid, and of course, the Chosen Mid.

Big Ben's shots in And1 kicks below:

(And1 Rekanize Mid)

(And1 2Chi Mid)

(And1 Chosen Mids)

It is interesting to note that both players played in the NBA finals while wearing And1 (Spree and the NY Knicks lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the 1999 lockout-shortened season, while Big Ben won against the heavily-favored Los Angeles Lakers in 2004).

Happy, happy belated birthday, And1 ballers!