As a member of the legendary Fab Five, Jalen Rose was the key to the greatest team ever to hit the hardwood in Michigan Wolverines basketball history. Rose started the “Jalen Rose Foundation/Charitable Fund” to give opportunities to children who otherwise would not receive them. In 2011, Rose started the “Jalen Rose Leadership Academy,” which offers open enrollment, tuition-free, public charter high school. The academy serves 400 students annually and over 1,000 alumni, with a 95% graduation rate and 100% college and postsecondary acceptance.
Born, raised, and continuing to live in Detroit, Jalen Rose is embedded in the community. Rose was humbled at the invasion extended to him from the University of Michigan to speak to this springs commencement. This is much more than an athletic icon to fill seats. This is one of Detroit’s city royalty and a big figure in the community, as well as his continued support of Michigan’s basketball program, which he attends games throughout the season.
The Fab Five; There is no way around this for Rose, as much as he would like the focus to be on his community and business work, he is and always will be linked with Jimmy King, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, and Ray King, the 1991 Michigan basketball recruiting class. Michigan was the first team in NCAA history to start five freshmen who hit the court, and it was instant magic.
The baggy shorts, black socks, and shaved heads changed the way basketball looked, and with their play, how the game was played in terms of a more run and gun style. Having never won a National Championship, the team had its records taken away due to a booster scandal. Michigan removed the 1992 and 1993 banners celebrating the school’s Final Four appearances.
When Jalen Rose speaking at the school he played for and in today’s NCAA landscape of NIL money, this would be a good time to restore the banners. After all, there is no denying Michigan played in back-to-back final fours.
