Michigan Journal

Issue date: 7/12/05 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Ryan Schreiber Former "Fab Fiver" Chris Webber talks to Inkster school children last week. [Click to enlarge]

Former Michigan Wolverine and current Philadelphia 76er Chris Webber was recently in town to talk to children in Inkster about the importance of reading. After his time with the kids, he took a few moments to sit down and answer some questions for the MJ.



Michigan Journal: What's it like to come out and spend some time with kids in the summertime and off-season?



Chris Webber: It's fun because reading to me is a big part of it but it's just a piece of what I try to present to them. I try to present reading. I try to present the things it can do for us as far as education and it can take us to places we've never been. Because many of us are maybe just stuck in our own environment, so the only way to see something better or different is to read, and therefore, we can do whatever job we want.

If someone wants to be in construction or be a lawyer or doctor-whatever it is-we need to let them know they can depend on themselves and encourage themselves to be whatever they would like. I try to let them know it's more of a life skill than a punishment.



MJ: What do you think this off-season is going to mean for the NBA?



CW: You know, I'm not sure. It seems like the new rules are limiting people. I don't know. I heard maybe about Larry Hughes going to Cleveland...I heard that today. So, you never know. We'll see what happens. It'll be interesting.



MJ: You're still close friends with Jalen Rose and Juwan Howard [former Michigan teammates] but do you still keep in touch with other former teammates?



CW: Yeah, yeah. I talk to [Rob] Pelinka all the time-you know he's Kobe's agent. I talk to Ray [Jackson] and Jimmy [King] all them time, too. I talked to Juwan yesterday. I'll be seeing Jalen after however long it takes me to finish up here today.

Continued...

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