The fading Fab Five

In 1991, five unique freshmen entered the doors of the University of Michigan. With their shaved heads, street talk, loose shorts, and talent they revolutionized college basketball.

Ray Jackson, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, and Jimmy King, were the "Fab Five."

Chris Webber, the most notable of the group, left Michigan after two years and is now a forward for the Sacramento Kings.

Jalen Rose, recently traded to the Chicago Bulls from Indiana Pacers, is in the process of putting a surge into the Bulls program.

Juwan Howard is currently making quiet inroads with his new team, the Denver Nuggets.

The two less known "Five Fabers," Jimmy King and Ray Jackson, finished their fours years at Michigan, graduated, and set out to make their mark in professional basketball.

King is currently a guard for the Asheville Altitude, a NBDL team. Jackson has been exported to a team in Venezuela, however, it is unclear to date if Jackson is still an active player with the Venezuelan team.

The Fabers had no National Championships or Big Ten Championships in their pockets during their time at the Michigan.

When the Fab Five left the university, they thought at least they had their legacy intact, and it would last for the rest of their lives. They often spoke of returning to their alma mater, retired from the game, accepting awards, telling stories of the good times, and giving back their school.

However, with the ongoing investigation of former Michigan booster Ed Martin, that legacy is in jeopardy of being shunned and tarnished.

Martin is being accused of giving two of the Fab Five, Webber and Rose, money, before, and during, their time at the university. Webber and Rose had a close relationship with Martin, allegedly the catalyst in introducing Martin to others players such as Robert Traylor and Mateen Cleaves.

In life you can be almost certain of some things.

Almost certain that Martin will be convicted of money-laundering and illegal gambling.

Certain that some Michigan fans will never look at the "Fab Five" with respect again.

Certain that no amount of money in the world will make some fans of Michigan love Webber and Rose the same.

And finally, certain the NCAA will be prompted to take some sort of recourse to the basketball program because of the worst scandal in Michigan history.