Sunday, June 16, 2013

The Fab 5

The squad that redefined college hoops and brought the Hood to march madness.  They met in high school and constructed a plan to take over college basketball.  Jimmy King, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Ray Jackson all started at Michigan University as freshman and sophomores reaching the championship game 2 years in a row.  Pretty soon the black socks, baggy shorts and Nike Flights donned by the Michigan Fab 5 were copied by every team from elementary school gyms to the Madison Square Garden arenas of America.  The Fab 5 all played professional ball and to this day are revered by basketball aficionados for their cultural influence and sheer bravado (photo via sports illustrated, AP).

Chris Webber was the Force & the Fire of the team.  He averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds his sophomore year before being selected 1st overall in the 1993 NBA Draft.  Webber duplicated his college numbers over a 15 year career in the League averaging 20pts, 10rebs, 4ast, 1.4blks & 1.4stls.  Though his teams never won a championship, they came close several times with Webber being the main cog.  His case for the Hall is strong, but not definitive. 

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