C-Webb called infamous timeout

Updated: May 10, 2005, 11:46 AM ET
By Bob Carter | Special to ESPN.com

Signature Game
April 5, 1993 - North Carolina won the NCAA Tournament, but the final will forever be remembered more for Chris Webber's blunder. NC led 73-71 when Webber, Michigan's All-American sophomore forward, rebounded Pat Sullivan's missed free throw with 19 seconds left.

Webber traveled, but no referee called it. Given a second chance, he hurriedly dribbled across midcourt, stopping in front of Michigan's bench. Then he signaled for a timeout with 11 seconds remaining. The only problem was that the Wolverines were out of timeouts.

Donald Williams hit two free throws after the technical and another two after a foul, wrapping up the Tar Heels' 77-71 victory in the Superdome in New Orleans.

After the game, Webber, who scored 23 points and had 11 rebounds, sat chagrined and thoroughly miserable in the locker room. "I just called the timeout and that probably cost us the game," he said.

Odds 'n' Ends

  • Webber's father, Mayce, was a sharecropper in Mississippi before moving to Detroit in 1966.

  • Webber and future Fab Five teammate Jalen Rose played together on a seventh-grade AAU team.

  • As an African-American at Detroit Country Day, an exclusive, mostly white private school, Webber had an uneasy adjustment period. He tried to flunk out as a freshman but couldn't. Later on, he encouraged school officials to include a course on black history.

  • Webber averaged 25 points (shooting 64 percent from the field) and 13 rebounds as Country Day went 90-12 in his four years.

  • Before deciding on Michigan as his college choice, Webber also had Kentucky, Duke, Minnesota, Detroit Mercy and Michigan State on his final list.

  • He majored in psychology at Michigan.

  • Webber drew heavy criticism when he screamed at cameramen trying to take his picture after Michigan's loss to Duke in the 1992 NCAA title game.

  • He edged Orlando's Penny Hardaway for Rookie of the Year honors by six votes. He led all rookies in rebounding (9.1) and shooting percentage (.552) and helped the Warriors to a 50-32 record and a playoff spot.

  • In October 1995, one year after arriving in Washington, the Bullets signed him to a six-year, $58.5 million contract.

  • Webber is a superb passer for a big man. He averaged five assists in 1995-96, his second season with Washington.

  • In his first game against the Wizards after being traded from Washington to Sacramento, Webber had a triple double: 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

  • He was slow to warm to Sacramento, spending much time alone in his first season there. He didn't bother to furnish most of his house until his parents finally interceded and helped him buy furniture.

  • Webber has given generously to charities, including Detroit's Police Athletic League. His "Timeout" foundation helps youngsters in Detroit and Washington, D.C.

  • He was voted to the NBA's all-interview first team in 2001 after making the second team the previous year.

  • He reached career highs with 51 points and 26 rebounds against Indiana on Jan. 5, 2001. He made 24-of-47 shots from the floor.

  • Webber missed the first 20 games of the 2001-02 season after severely spraining his right ankle in an exhibition game.

  • He is nicknamed C-Webb.

  • Webber has had his own record label and has been in many television spots for the NBA.

  • He owns an extensive collection of African-American historical documents.

  • Chris' younger brother David was the Mid-American Conference's Player of the Year for the 2000-01 season.

  • Webber has been linked romantically with supermodel Tyra Banks.

  • On Feb. 23, 2005 the Kings traded Webber, Matt Barnes and Michael Bradley to the 76ers for Corliss Williamson, Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner.

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