The season was a success for Webber on an individual level, as well: he became the first freshman ever to lead the Big Ten Conference in rebounding, and he made the NCAA All-Tournament Team. The ride ended with a 71-51 loss to Duke in the title game, but Michigan ’s freshman class already had attained superstar status. Over the two weeks of the tournament, however, as the Wolverines won their first five games to advance to the championship game, the starting lineup became known as the Fab Five, the most famous quintet to come from Michigan since the Temptations. At first Michigan ’s youthful starting lineup was little more than one of the footnotes to the tournament hype. Midway through the season, these five young men constituted Michigan ’s starting lineup, and they had enough success to earn Michigan a berth in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) postseason tournament. In addition to Webber, Michigan had recruited four other nationally-praised freshmen for the 1991-92 season: Jimmy King, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, and Jalen Rose. Bittersweet NotorietyĪn interesting situation awaited Webber at Michigan, one that became even more interesting late in his initial year. His desire to remain close to his family led him to pick the University of Michigan Wolverines. Hundreds of colleges and universities eagerly sought Webber for their teams. Basketball and 1990-91 consensus National High School Player of the Year honors. Such impressive statistics earned him Michigan ’s Mr. He led Country Day to three state championships and, as a senior, averaged 28 points and 13 rebounds a game. Webber ’s high school career brought him superstar attention. Basketball for State of Michigan and National High School Player of the Year, 1991 NCAA All-Tournament Team, 1992, 1993 NBA Rookie of Year, 1994.Īddresses: Sacramento Kings, One Sports Parkway, Sacramento, CA 95834. Selected first overall by the Orlando Magic in 1993 NBA Entry Draft Golden State Warriors, 1993-1994 Washington Bullets, 1994-1995 Sacramento Kings, 1998-.Īwards: Mr. ” At a Glance …īorn Mayce Edward Christopher Webber III on March 1, 1973, in Detroit, Ml son of Mayce (a factory worker) and Doris Webber, Education: Attended University of Michigan, 1991-93.Ĭareer: Professional basketball player. “He knew I was gonna be ok in basketball. “I wanted to go to Southwestern (where friend and future Michigan teammate Jalen Rose would play), but my dad wanted me to go to Country Day to make sure I got an education, ” Webber told Sport magazine. When it came time to start high school, Mayce made a decision that Chris did not like at the time, taking him out of public school and sending him to Detroit Country Day High, a private school located in the upscale suburb of Birmingham. Chris proved early to be a promising basketball talent -in one game in the eighth grade he scored 64 points and had 15 dunks. Mayce, a factory worker in a Detroit General Motors plant, sometimes worked double shifts to ensure that his five children could have clothes that fit. Webber was born Mayce Edward Christopher Webber III, March 1, 1973, in Detroit. By the new millennium Webber was playing for the Sacramento Kings, his crown a bit tilted and tarnished. Webber also started his own record label. In addition, the sport shoe and apparel company, Fila, terminated Webber ’s contract. By the time he was 26 Webber had been released by two teams, had been arrested for assault, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, and was named in a sexual assault complaint. Webber undoubtedly had the talent to establish himself historically as a basketball figure with celebrity status, but perhaps he was not prepared for the particular demands and temptations that come with that kind of status. While gradually gaining back his good-guy image playing with the Washington Bullets, Webber reached his mid-twenties with a long career in front of him in which to define his place in the game ’s history. He then gave his last two years of college up to join the National Basketball Association (NBA) and enjoyed one of the greatest rookie seasons in the league ’s history.īefore his second season began, however, a well-publicized rift with his coach forced a trade to another team and left Webber being identified as a crybaby. While he was a high school phenomenon and a member of the celebrated Fab Five University of Michigan team, Webber got his first moment in the national spotlight when he made one of basketball ’s most notable all-time blunders at the end of his sophomore season. Chris Webber reached celebrity status by his early twenties, but it is questionable whe-her any prominent athlete ’s career had as many ups and downs as Webber ’s.
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