So I recently found a Fab Five era Chris Webber jersey on Craigslist. Looks like this:
<img src=“http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/t08AAOSwNSxVYlR0/$_57.JPG” / width=50%><img src=“http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/vHEAAOSw3xJVYlSB/$_57.JPG” / width=50%>
Really great quality. Stitched. Has name on back. All seems legit. My question is, how is this possible? I thought college jerseys were not allowed to have player names on official items. Granted, this jersey is from the early 90s. Was this before NCAA rules against such practices? Why can’t I find any Jalen Rose jerseys with “ROSE 5” anywhere on the WWW?
So I’m admittedly not nearly the Xs/Os guy that others on the site are, but this is one area I would say I have some perspective on.
Nike started their “Nike Team Sports” line of apparel around the time that the fab five were there. They didn’t wear Nike on court while Webber was there (was a combo of Delong and Russell from what I can photomatch), but they launched their efforts into commercializing players after leaving college with a series of ads with Webber as one of the features (Ad pasted below). Nike released this jersey after Webber graduated and was with the Warriors, and then proceeded to make commercially distributed versions for Jalen in 93-94, and Jimmy King in 94-95 where you would basically buy the version you are showing, but it was released in-season, and thus no name since they were still active with Michigan. They did not release a Juwan or Ray Jackson version ever as I think they were still softly entering into the space and just did 1/team (at least for us).
If you have any questions on other players Nike made, replica/authentic versions, brands used before 92, etc, let me know. Had considered checking with Dylan to see if a piece on this ahead of the Jumpman launch next year would have appetite. I’ve been collecting M-basketball memorabilia for 20y or so now, and have a decent read on things since the mid-80s.
The jersey you are looking at looks legit, and typically sells on ebay for 60-120$ depending on condition and random demand for different sizes.
I definitely had this jersey. Got it after Webber was in the pros.
Sweet jersey. Would be great if they wore Fab Five throwbacks for the 25th anniversary in 2016-17, complete with original baggy cuts. The powers that be probably wouldn’t go for it though.
Sweet jersey. Would be great if they wore Fab Five throwbacks for the 25th anniversary in 2016-17, complete with original baggy cuts. The powers that be probably wouldn't go for it though.
Throwback?? I’m still holding out hope Nike bases our regular unis on these.
I hear ya, definitely. But it would also be cool to have special “throwbacks” in the original cuts – like billowy, shiny satin jerseys with thin shoulder straps. Not just using the classic color and design elements.
I have this jersey with name and everything. Came out after Webber went pro. It is still hanging in my office above my desk.
Thanks for all the info JVS! Very informative. You must have a house full of M basketball memorabilia!
And I agree with WindsorBlue and Voltron_Blue. Really hoping Nike does something similar for 2016. I’m a sucker for minimalistic designs.