PF | 6-foot-10 | Detroit, Mich. | Michigan | #4

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It’s one of the most hallowed relationships in all of sports - the connection between a player and fans. During his tenure in Sacramento, Chris Webber became beloved by the “Sixth Man” and he, in turn, helped to re-ignite the franchise.

Prior to playing for the Kings, Webber had proven to be a talent on-court, while falling short of finding the acceptance of a city most athletes cherish.

When Webber entered the NBA in 1993, he did so after two electrifying seasons at the University of Michigan. Sporting black shoes, black socks and long shorts, the team’s five starting freshmen - coined the “Fab Five” - brought a new style and energy to the sport. During the talented forward’s two years in college, Michigan advanced to two Final Fours, yet came up a short of securing a NCAA Championship.

He was the first-overall selection in his Draft class, but was traded by the Orlando Magic for Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway before he ever played a game. Webber had an immediate impact with the Warriors and was awarded NBA Rookie of the Year honors after averaging more than 17 points and nine rebounds per game.

Yet - unlike many ROY winners - Webber and the Warriors parted ways, as No. 4 was dealt to the then Washington Bullets.

Spending four seasons in Washington, the forward continued to display his talent and put up more than 20 points per contest in each season. By age 24, however, Webber was again on the move.

In May of 1998, the Kings traded franchise stalwarts Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe for Webber. The talented power forward originally didn’t express excitement about a move to Sacramento and Kings fans were also not thrilled to see Richmond depart for Washington. The acquisition of Webber, though, would mark a turning point in Kings history.

Through his first five seasons with the team, Webber averaged more than 23 points per game and was the team’s star. Playing alongside the likes of Vlade Divac, Doug Christie and Jason Williams, the Kings forward brought a new level of success to the organization - reaching its pinnacle in a 2002 Western Conference Finals series against the L.A. Lakers.

With Webber on the team, Sacramento appeared in six straight Playoffs. On a personal level, Webber’s best statistical season came in 2000-01 when he averaged more than 27 points and 11 rebounds per game. Over the course of his career, he averaged a double-double for a total of six seasons and five consecutive years in Sacramento.

On Feb. 6, 2009 a visibly touched Webber watched as his beloved Kings jersey ascended into the air in front of 17,317-plus devoted fans - a career and a city, forever altered.