Ex-Fab Fiver Juwan Howard celebrates his first NBA title with Michigan teammate Jalen Rose
Juwan Howard started the Fab Five era by choosing the Michigan basketball program in November of 1990.
And on Thursday night, nearly 22 years later, Howard earned the famous recruiting class' first -- and only -- NBA championship ring as a member of the Miami Heat.
Howard, an 18-year NBA veteran, didn't play a large role with the Heat this season, but did see some action in the blowout win -- playing three minutes off the bench in the game's closing moments.
Fellow Fab Fiver Jalen Rose spent 13 seasons in the NBA, making it as far as the Eastern Conference Finals with the Indiana Pacers in 2000. Chris Webber, meanwhile, played in the 2002 Western Conference Finals with the Sacramento Kings and the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals with the Detroit Pistons, but also never won a title.
On Thursday, Howard -- all All-American at Michigan in 1993-94 -- ended the drought.
Afterward, he celebrated in the Miami Heat locker room with Rose -- who now works as an analyst at ESPN.
Howard becomes the sixth former Wolverine player to earn an NBA title. Robert Harrison (1945-49) won three titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, Cazzie Russell (1963-66) won one with the New York Knicks, Mike McGee (1977-81) won two with the Los Angeles Lakers, Rudy Tomjanovich (1967-70) coached the Houston Rockets to two crowns and Glen Rice (1985-89) won one with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Joseph Holmes
Sun, Jun 24, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.
So....finally...someone from the fraud 5 wins a ring, for sitting on the bench. LOL 0 Big Ten champ rings 0 NCAA National Championship rings 1 NBA champions ring.....for sitting the bench. Says a lot about the quality of that joke of a team. Forgotten stat 0 official wins in NCAA history for them also. LOL
mookienation
Mon, Jun 25, 2012 : 8:33 p.m.
Just curious, Joseph. How many rings do you have?
Hebner
Sun, Jun 24, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.
The Fab 5 are trend setters that will forever be at the front of college basketball history...stats cannot define greatness in this instance; however, they did have great stats! The Fab 5 endured criticism and prejudice; they were bold enough and confident enough to be the best; it was them against the world and they embraced it. In my opinion, the Fab 5 were the most entertaining team in college basketball history. I am proud of the way these guys have turned out as men, and I salute them for overcoming all the hate that came their way. Michigan fans learned something about themselves throughout those seasons, and even now we realize that ignoring their legacy would be would be a lie. Go Blue!!
burton163
Sun, Jun 24, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.
I always thought Juwan was the most underrated of the Fab Five. He was the hard working, blue collar type that always got the job done. Amazing how long he has survived in the NBA...good to see his long career and hard work pay off with a championship ring.
vi4mi4
Sun, Jun 24, 2012 : 12:35 p.m.
..wow Fab! Go Blue! v
Goofus
Sat, Jun 23, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.
Two words: Shortened Season. Congrats on 3/4 of a title , Juwan!
mookienation
Mon, Jun 25, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
A shortened season just means it was more difficult with less time to recover between games. If anything, the Heat's title is like 1.5 titles.
azwolverine
Sat, Jun 23, 2012 : 10:34 p.m.
You must have some bad information, so I'll try to clear up this little misunderstanding on your part. This counts as 1 whole title. Glad I could help!
fjord
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.
I was not cheering for the Heat, but I take some solace in the fact that Juwan will get a ring. Good for him.