the FAB FIVE...WHAT IF they never went to UM Ann Arbor....WHAT THEN?....Where do they all go?.....And would they have been TRENDSETTERS still?

I know they have been covered a lot and the Piece by the ESPN SERIES' 30 for 30 covered them with the facts as good as anyone. But having said all that the Bluedude digs in his library to show you want they didn't uncover. And these are Facts because the Bluedude follows everything with the intent that it will be useful to me someday.

The most ballyhooed NCAA Men's Basketball recruiting Class of All-Time arguably. They had 4 Top 20 and let's run them down before we get into the What If's.......In order as they signed Letters of Intent.

1. Juwan Howard 6'9" PF Chicago Vocational HS aka CVS Chicago Illinois: He was the 1st domino to fall on his recruiting trip to Ann Arbor with 2G Jimmy King. Juwan was rated as the 3rd best PF in the Class and a Top 5. Other Schools after JUWAN: MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, KENTUCKY, IOWA, DePAUL among others

2. Jimmy King 6'5" 2G Plano East HS Plano Texas: He signed with Juwan on their recruiting trip.....The best hands down Shooting Guard in the nation that year....on every ones list......ARIZONA, DUKE, MICHIGAN, North CAROLINA among others

Then this is where the FAB FIVE was created ..............

3. Jalen Rose 6'8" PG, 2G, SF Detroit Southwestern HS Detroit Michigan: The Best All-Around Player ion the Class could play 3 position and a Top 20 in the Class. He signed his letter of Intent but as also leaning towards the Syracuse Orangeman at the Time. Coached by Perry Watkins who joined Jalen and another Commit both persuaded to come to UM . Jalen had MICHIGAN, SYRACUSE, among others

4. Chris Webber 6'9" PF/C Detroit Country Day  School Birmingham Hills Michigan: The Consensus #1 Player in the USA that Year. Beat out Glenn "Big Dawg" Robinson from Gary Indiana Roosevelt HS and Teammate Juwan Howard of the aforementioned CVS. Jalen ,who grew up with Chris, joined Coach Watson who had been around both for years, to persuade C-Webb to join them at UM Ann Arbor. C-Webb at the time was heavily considering MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE, and DUKE among others coincidentally.

5. Ray Jackson 6'6" SF Houston Texas Lyndon Baines Johnson HS: A consensus Top 60 Player in the nation that season Jackson was the last to fall and he had everyone in the Southwest after him...ARKANSAS, TEXAS, HOUSTON, MICHIGAN among others.

Now the Big Question...What If?...they chose the other schools that were vying for their services. The FAB FIVE 's Impact on College Basketball was enormous from the Over zealous celebrations, to the Long Shorts, and the Black Nike CB Air Max with the Bubble along with Black Socks. Even though I think the Bulls were the 1st in the Association with the Black Socks but anyway you get me.

Also they sent a clear message to recruits that when highly rated in a Class and a School wants you that's loaded "Don't Try To Beat Them...Join Them.

So What If Chris goes to Duke or Michigan State and Juwan stays home and plays for Illinois, Jalen burned up the home state and attends Syracuse, Jimmy King goes to Guard University in Arizona,  and Ray stays home to attend the Cougars of Houston.

What would've been then? Long Shorts...Jordan was the 1st in the NBA to have his Shorts tailored Longer. What about the Black CB34 Air Max with the Bubble? Who showcases them?...Those were Sir Charles Barkley NIKES' (CB34 Air Max in the Desert playing for the Phoenix Suns).

All these gentleman put their agenda aside to become one Powerful Outfit in the Big Ten and NCAA. Together for only 2 seasons as C-Webb entered the 1993 NBA Draft and was selected #1 by the Orlando Magic and traded to Golden State on Draft Day for Picks and the #3 Pick Anfernee Penny Hardaway (see my Penny Hardaway Post it explains the Trade).
The Fab Five never won a NCAA Championship and was runner-up twice to Duke and North Carolina. they also never won a Big Ten Title.

The FAB FIVE started a possible 304 out of 305 games in their careers at UM....and the only one not drafted in the NBA was Ray Jackson. But some look at their Legacy as a bit tarnished at UM for some NCAA Violations. We are all young one day and make some mistakes we try to correct them and move on. The Bluedude looks at their Legacy as in tactful, impactful, and unforgettable Period.

Bluedude Sportstalk coming soon My Top NFL Players by Position and Camp LaTrobe opening soon. For the March to 7 so all STEELERS Fans get their stairway to Heaven.

Big UPS to Coach Steve Fisher at SDSU Aztecs now, Coach Perry Watson coaching somewhere in the D, and to these Great Players of the FAB FIVE still making a Positive Impact in Society. This is why I Blog...Maize and Blue...One.

TWITTER @jalenrose @jimmyking24 @realchriswebber