Chris Webber’s Biggest Life Achievement Was Not Basketball Related
We all know that saying: money can’t buy you happiness. For a long time, Chris Webber was not happy despite having the success, money, and fame we all crave. Fortunately, the baller finally found the missing ingredient in his life. He didn’t find it in the court, however, and he actually found it 9 years after retiring…
Quite The Baller
You must have at least heard of the legendary Chris Webber. Basketball fans probably remember him as one of the best centers the Sacramento Kings ever had, even though he is long retired. That is a pretty solid title to hold!
Quite The Baller
Trophies On Trophies
That’s already an impressive feat but wait until you hear the awards he has accumulated during his career. In the beginning, he was named the Rookie of the Year and he later made it to the NBA All-Star and All-NBA Team five times each! Considering all of this, none of these accolades are what he considers his greatest achievement in life. That goes to something that happened off the court. It was something he thought would never happen to him!
Trophies On Trophies
His Real Name
People call him Chris Webber and some fans have taken to calling him C. Webb. However, his real name is actually long and regal. It’s Mayce Edward Christopher Webber III. We like it, though we’re glad there are shorter versions out there.
His Real Name
Detroit Native
Born on March 1, 1973, Chris Webber is a native of Detroit, Michigan. Basketball already played a huge part in his life while growing up, though he only took it seriously when he finally began high school. As a matter of fact, he helped the Detroit Country Day School basketball team take home the title during the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) State Championship!
Detroit Native
Chevy Corsica
Considering the fact that he grew up in Michigan, it makes sense that he is interested in cars. The baller’s first car was a burgundy Chevy Corsica and he has been quoted referring to it as his best friend!
Chevy Corsica
Michigan’s Mr. Basketball
Apparently, Chris Webber was also named the Mr. Basketball in the state of Michigan. Every year, each state in the nation awards the best high school basketball player with this award!
Michigan’s Mr. Basketball
College Ball
After his high school graduation, Chris studied and played basketball at the University of Michigan. Go Wolverines! In his first year of college, he earned some popularity as a member of the Fab Five. This was the name given to the group of standout freshmen talents. Chris wore jersey #4 back then.
College Ball
From College To The NBA
What do you think of playing ball with a hip-hop vibe? Apparently, this was the legacy of Michigan’s Fab Five! During the time that Chris Webber was on the Wolverines, the team made two appearances in the NCAA finals… cool! You might be more impressed if you learn that four of the Fab 5 members were later drafted to the NBA. However, it was not a smooth-sailing ride as many of the players got involved in a big scandal that threatened their future careers.
From College To The NBA
A Major Scandal
The University of Michigan basketball scandal is also called the Ed Martin scandal. Webber was involved in the controversy as he was convicted guilty of perjury. They found out that he received over $200,000 money from the basketball team booster. As a result, the university stripped Chris Webber of all the accolades he earned in his collegiate career.
A Major Scandal
Trouble With The Law
If you thought that was the last time he got in trouble with the law, you would be wrong. In fact, he was charged with various infractions multiple times after that! In 1998, he was charged with a total of three offenses! The charges were for second-degree assault, DUI, and marijuana possession. He must have thanked his lucky stars when he was acquitted of the more serious ones, though he had to pay $560 for the less serious infractions. Let us see what else the future had in store for him…
Trouble With The Law
Airport Trouble
As you might have guessed, Chris got in trouble yet again. In fact, it happened the very same year. So much for lying low in the meantime, huh? This time, he was caught by the U.S. customs when he was in Puerto Rico.
Airport Trouble
Fila Sneaker Launch
Chris had been stopped by customs because they discovered marijuana in the athlete’s baggage! At the time, he was about to go to Barbados for the promotion of a new Fila sneaker. After this, the sportswear brand dropped him and even charged him $2.61 million for breaching contract.
Fila Sneaker Launch
Timeout Trouble
Back in 1993, the Michigan Wolverines and the North Carolina Tar Heels faced off in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championships. It was a tense moment with the Tar Heels having a two point advantage at the last 10 seconds of the fourth quarter. Sadly, Chris Webber did not realize the team had no more timeouts left! It led to a technical foul and the Wolverines lost the title. It has become a memorable game for this error and we bet no one ever let Chris forget about it.
Timeout Trouble
Music Sensation
There are many NBA stars who have dipped their toes into the rap scene. Chris Webber himself has released an album called ‘2 Much Drama’ back in 1999. He also created a music video for ‘Gangsta, Gangsta’.
Music Sensation
The No. 1 NBA Draft Pick
Every year, there is only one who is the #1 draft in the NBA. It’s actually a pretty big honor! He was drafted by the Orlando Magic during the NBA Draft of 1993 as the #1 pick. At the time, Webber was only a sophomore. It’s fascinating to learn that he and Magic Johnson are the only ones who accomplished such a feat!
The No. 1 NBA Draft Pick
Draft-Day Trade
However, he did not have a long stint with the Orlando Magic. They traded him to the Golden State Warriors for four of their players right away! The young baller was amazing in the big leagues and he helped his new team during the playoffs. During that season, he was named Rookie of the Year.
Draft Day Trade
Rookie Year
Chris Webber signed onto the Golden State Warriors for a contract worth $74.4 million. Can you believe that a rookie got a deal like that? It is nothing short of impressive.
Rookie Year
The Best Of Friends
After his stint with Golden State, Chris was taken in by the Washington Bullets. Yup, this is the team presently known as the Washington Wizards! He joined Juwan Howard, another Fab 5 member, and they immediately hit it off again.
The Best Of Friends
Chris & Tyra
Ooh la la! Chris Webber and Tyra Banks used to be an item. The basketball player and the supermodel got together in 2002. Unfortunately, they called it quits in 2004.
Chris & Tyra
Washington D.C. Here We Come!
He did a great job when was in D.C. He actually helped the Bullets get to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade! His hard work resulted in an All-Star team nomination. After his time with the team, he returned to California. In 1998, Chris Webber joined the Sacramento Kings.
Washington D.C. Here We Come!
Apprehensive
In the beginning, he felt apprehensive about joining the Sacramento Kings. You see, the team had terrible luck back in the day. It’s a good thing that the baller played the best basketball of his whole career when he was with them.
Apprehensive
The Impossible
In those days, Sacramento was considered to be a losing team… This is why everyone was surprised at the way Chris helped take them to the NBA finals! The last time the team won a championship was in 1951. We are sure that Sacramento fans were glad to have him!
The Impossible
NBA Top Power Forward
In those days, Chris Webber was able to solidify his reputation as one of the best power forwards to have played in the NBA. He accomplished many things in the 2000-2001 season like clocking a career-high 27.1 average points and making it to the All-Star team collections. It landed him a 7 year contract with the Kings!
NBA Top Power Forward
An Incredible Season
Webber knew it was a great deal and it showed in the way he played. His incredible talent was extremely beneficial for the Kings and he helped make a record-breaking season with 21 losses and 61 wins. In 2002, the L.A. Lakers beat them during the Western Conference Finals and ended their hopes of appearing in the championship for the first time in more than 50 years. He sustained some injuries in his last year with the team and he moved onto the Philadelphia 76ers in 2005.
An Incredible Season
Better Luck Next Time
His time with the Sixers did not to prove to be as successful as his run with the Sacramento Kings. He only spent two years there before he went back to Michigan, his home state. His next stop was the Detroit Pistons.
Better Luck Next Time
A Shocking Injury
He played with the Pistons for a brief time and he got traded back to the Golden State Warriors in 2008. It seems like he likes extreme weather, from the chilly state of Michigan to the warm state of California! However, the baller decided to retire from basketball after nine games since his knee injury was showing no improvement. What was next for Chris Webber?
A Shocking Injury
The End
At the age 35 years old, Chris Webber decided that it was time to say goodbye to professional basketball. He ended on a high note with some impressive figures to his name. The baller finished with the following average stats per game: 20.7 points, 4.2 assists, and 9.8 rebounds. Those are sure worth boasting about! Hopefully, he is just as happy about these figures as we are.
The End
Legendary
There is no denying that Chris Webber was an icon. Aside from Wilt Chamberlain, no one else in the NBA achieved what he did during the first 13 seasons of his NBA career. In those days, he hit an average of 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game!
Legendary
Retired Jersey
Chris Webber was a Sacramento Kings player from 1998 until 2004. We already know how much he did for the team during his time there. They decided to commemorate him by retiring his number! Whoa, that picture must be huge if it is even bigger than him!
Retired Jersey
We’re Waiting
Many of his fans are eager to know when the baller will be inducted into the prestigious basketball Hall of Fame. Hopefully, it won’t be too long now!
We’re Waiting
Gametime Live
Chris Webber gave all sorts of things a shot after his retirement. He was able to prove to everyone that he was talented outside of playing ball! One of his jobs was working as an analyst on the NBA’s Game time Live program.
Gametime Live
Quite The Collector
Apparently, Chris Webber is also a cultured man! He is the owner of an African-American artifacts collection and he has lent some pieces to the Sacramento Central Library. Initially, he only had a curiosity about African-American culture and it turned into a big project. “I just thought I was going to put it in the hallway of my house. My friends were like, ‘You’re corny. You’re a nerd.’ I thought no one would care,” he said. Nowadays, you will find his collection going on in exhibits all over the country. He credits his mother as his inspiration since she always kept art inside their house when he was young.
Quite The Collector
Guest Appearances
Chris is really charming and well-spoken. He made for a great guest on the shows hosted by Bill Maher, David Letterman, and Jay Leno.
Guest Appearances
Restaurant Biz
The athlete also entered the culinary world! Chris Webber established Center Court with C Webb, a restaurant in Sacramento, California.
Restaurant Biz
Talented On & Off The Court
The basketball player also established his own investment company and appeared in the film Uncle Drew as a preacher. He dipped his toes into the music industry yet again! This time, he began producing hits with the rapper called Nas. He is truly versatile and talented!
Talented On & Off The Court
Webber Productions
Chris Webber recently established a production company. It’s called Webber Productions and it aims to create sports documentaries, films, music projects, and exhibitions. “I am happy to start a company with a man like Peter Gilbert, who has proven to be one of the best in documentary film work. I look forward to learning from him and telling great stories around my passions, my community and my world with him,” he said.
Webber Productions
Film & TV
Aside from working as a producer, he has also done some acting gigs in the past. He appeared in Somewhere in the Middle and Unenxpected. His most notable acting role, however, was in Uncle Drew.
Film & TV
Quite The Comedian
Apparently, Chris Webber is also good at making people laugh. On his Twitter, he posted this: “Guess they didn’t know how tall I am. Can’t get my legs under the table. LA Lakers vs Utah Jazz”.
Quite The Comedian
#michigansfinest
Chris Webber and Magic Johnson are good friends in real life. They both studied at Michigan State but they did not make their acquaintance there. Chris tweeted this photo with a caption that read: “@magicjohnson my mentor and friend since age 14 #michigansfinest”.
#michigansfinest
He Never Stops
Chris Webber is planning on dominating just about every other field. The athlete said, “You’re about to have a lot more to talk about, because I have a book that’s coming out this summer that’s going to tell the truth, because everything you’ve heard has been stories of writers that weren’t there or people that wanted to lie, so we’re going to shock the world with a book and a documentary.”
He Never Stops
GM Plant
Since he is trying to work on a documentary about his life, he dropped by the General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck plant. His father was employed there for 30 years! He spoke to the workers and checked out the Volt.
GM Plant
Philanthropist
Chris Webber has been blessed with fame and money so he decided to put it to good use. He launched the Timeout Foundation, an NGO aimed to help at-risk youth. The baller was recognized for his actions and he was given the first ever Sacramento Kings/Oscar Robertson Triple Double Award!
Philanthropist
Giving Back
He also created an initiative that gives away free basketball tickets to young fans. At the present, they have successfully give out over 3,000 tickets! There is really something special about celebrities who give back.
Giving Back
Wish Maker Of The Year
Chris Webber had the honor of being named the Wish Maker of the Year by the Sacramento Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2003.
Wish Maker Of The Year
Coach Izzo
Coach Patrick Izzo of Michigan State has revealed that Chris Webber had been the only recruit who reduced him to tears. Chris said, “Coach Izzo is a big part of my book. I consider him a friend, I’ve known him since I was about 15 years old. … I love Coach Izzo, because when he goes into kids’ houses and he talks to kids, and he says what he says and he makes them promises, he holds true to those promises. Tom Izzo is one of the best men that I know.”
Coach Izzo
Bad Blood
Chris Webber and Jalen Rose, both Fab 5 members, had a long history together. However, it seems like the two have officially cut off ties. The relationship was full of tension after ESPN released the documentary titled The Fab 5.
Bad Blood
“I’m Over It”
After the documentary was released, Chris wanted to clarify something about the old scandal. He explained, “I know that the ‘Fab Five’ documentary makes it seem like, ‘Oh, my God, I’m so scared to talk about it,’ but the truth is I got over it a long time ago. I’ve always tried to embrace it.”
“I’m Over It”
Michigan For Life
Chris Webber has definitely solidified himself in the history of Michigan State. He was recently asked to play honorary captain for a football game! Everyone was thrilled to see him represent the school.
Michigan For Life
“I Do”
After Chris retired from professional basketball, he decided to take another step. There were also developments in his personal life! In 2009, he got married to his then girlfriend, Erika Dates.
“I Do”
Settling Down
The couple wanted to create their own family as soon as possible, though fertility issues made it difficult. In fact, doctors told them that it might be impossible to conceive! This was terrible news for the new couple.
Settling Down
Difficult Times
We are sure that it had been difficult for both of them. Nonetheless, they tried again and again for 7 years to no avail. However, something happened that changed everything…
Difficult Times
Double The Fun
At long last, they were expecting! In 2017, Erika and Chris were blessed with a boy and a girl, a pair of twins. They must have been thrilled when they first found out! They took to Instagram to tell everyone about it.
Double The Fun
Proud Parents
It seems like Erika was absolutely thrilled about the twins! In just a matter of hours, she posted this photo of the twins and their father doing a “peace sign”. Aww, look at those faces!
Proud Parents
God’s Grace
This photo was posted by Chris and it was accompanied by the caption: “After many years of trying and more than a few heartbreaks, we were blessed with these little ones”. He used the hashtags #godsgrace and #worththewait on his post as well.
Gods Grace
Two Bundles Of Joy
Erika, meanwhile, posted this photo and captioned it this way: “After many years of trying and more than a few heartbreaks, we were blessed with these little ones”. Aww, how adorable!
Two Bundles Of Joy
Like Father, Like Son
Look at this great meme of Chris and son! Whoever made this deserves a medal.
Like Father, Like Son
Thank You
“All in his time. Thank you to all of our family and friends and even strangers who shared our journey and kept us encouraged.” The family definitely looked like they had fun during their outing!
Thank You
Speaking Out
In the same month, the NBA retiree was interviewed by Esquire. They talked a lot about his personal life and family. He explained, “Being a father has taken the edge off. It’s just something my wife and I have been praying for and working toward for years. To have it happen is just – s***, I don’t know what to say. It’s the best feeling in the world.” That’s good to hear, Chris!
Speaking Out
Absolute Joy
Chris has also been quoted saying this: “I don’t get any sleep, but I’m the oldest of five, and I used to do a lot of babysitting growing up. I have a big family, so we’re used to that. But it’s amazing just seeing something that’s your own, grow and develop. I’m just in awe. Most days it’s laughing and crying at the fact that something like this happened.”
Absolute Joy
Storybook Ending
Chris had plenty of things to be proud about earlier in his life, though his biggest achievement was not related to basketball. He is the happiest when he is with his beautiful wife and kids. We’re happy for you, C Webb!
Storybook Ending