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Fab Five reunites at Michigan for the first time since they were players

rhiannon walker
Contributing writer
·2 min read
Former Michigan Fab Five basketball players Chris Webber, from left, Jalen Rose, Michigan head coach Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson pose pose after an NCAA college basketball game against Ohio State in Ann Arbor, Mich., Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Former Michigan Fab Five basketball players Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Michigan head coach Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson reunited in Ann Arbor for the first time since their playing days on Monday. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

For the first time in three decades, all five members of Fab Five reunited at Michigan.

Ray Jackson, Jimmy King, Jalen Rose and Chris Webber sat side by side courtside, while Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard led their alma mater to a 73-65 win over hated-rival Ohio State on Monday.

The Fab Five, the first all-freshman team to start in the NCAA title game, played its last contest together — a 77-71 loss to North Carolina — in the 1993 NCAA championship.

This was the infamous "timeout game," in which the Wolverines received a technical foul after Webber attempted to call a timeout when Michigan didn't have any. Webber, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1993 draft, was the first to leave and turn pro.

FILE - In this November 1991, file photo, Michigan's Fab Five from left, Jimmy King, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Ray Jackson pose in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan coach Juwan Howard was honored as The Associated Press men's basketball coach of the year Thursday, April 1, 2021. (AP Photo/File)
Michigan's Fab Five from left, Jimmy King, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Ray Jackson pose in Ann Arbor, Mich., in November 1991. (AP Photo/File)

Rose told a reporter during the game that the members returned to Ann Arbor on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to support Howard.

On Sept. 15, he underwent open-heart surgery and was hospitalized for 15 days. He didn't return to the sideline in his full capacity until Dec. 16, when Michigan blew out Eastern Michigan 83-66.

The Wolverines entered Monday's contest in turmoil as they were on a five-game slide, and Rose explained that supporting their friend and former teammate as Michigan struggled was also important reason for the group's appearance.

"Sometimes doubt sort of creeps in, because you care so much," Howard said after the game. "But tonight, with the help of our great crowd and the Michigan — Chris Webber came out, Jalen Rose, as well as Jimmy King and Ray Jackson, they, of course, ignited that run.

"It felt great [to see them across from me.] It's nothing like having your family step in when we going through a tough time. And then to be here and support us, it was truly uplifting. These guys I've been in the trenches with for so many years. I won a lot of games with; lost some games with. I learned a lot from them. But knowing they have my support through thick and thin, I appreciate that. Our brotherhood goes like no other."