David Webber (basketball)

David Webber
Personal information
Born (1980-04-05) April 5, 1980 (age 44)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High schoolDetroit Country Day
(Beverly Hills, Michigan)
CollegeCentral Michigan (1998–2002)
NBA draft2002: undrafted
Playing career2003–2004
PositionPoint guard
Career history
2003Oklahoma Storm
2004Great Lakes Storm
Career highlights and awards

David Ranier Webber (born April 5, 1980) is an American former basketball player. He played college basketball for Central Michigan of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) from 1998 to 2002. Webber played the point guard position and was the 2001 Mid-American Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year. He was a first team All-MAC player in 2001 and an honorable mention All-MAC player in 2000 and 2002. Webber holds Central Michigan's all-time records for single-game free throws and home arena single-game points.

In high school, Webber won three Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) championships for Detroit Country Day School. He had a brief two-year professional career in the United States Basketball League and Continental Basketball Association. He is the youngest brother of Hall of Famer Chris Webber.

Early life

Webber is the son of Mayce Webber, Jr. and Doris Webber.[1] Doris, a teacher, and Mayce, a General Motors employee, had provided for and forced their children to attend the private academy Detroit Country Day School rather than Southwestern High School like other kids in the neighborhood.[2] At Detroit Country Day, Webber was teammates with his brother Jason as a 1994–95 freshman while his brother was a senior.[3][4] He performed the role of sixth man as a freshman before becoming a three-year starter.[5] His 1996–97 junior season teammates included Shane Battier, who was a class ahead of him and classmates Javin Hunter and Mike Manciel.[6] That team was the two-time MHSAA Class B defending champion and had climbed into the top 10 in the USA Today national poll prior to an injury to Battier and two subsequent losses.[7] The team lost a third game without Battier and another starter to the Sergio McClain-led Illinois High School Association state champion Manual High School.[8] The team healed up and repeated as Class B state champion,[9] finishing the season with a 25–3 record.[10] He described the pressure of being Chris' younger brother as having a severe impact on his mental state: “I can remember being in my house after another bad game during my junior year in high school, when I told God not to wake me up in the morning,” David said. “I was praying all night, for hours, saying, ‘God, please don’t wake me up.’ “I felt a lot of pressure and I didn’t feel like I could take it anymore.”[11]

Webber was only the third leading returning scorer (10.1 points per game) for the team that the USA Today described as "Favorite for fourth consecutive Class B title" when ranking them 15th in the preseason.[10] However, he often played a leading role during his senior season.[12][13] In fact, he averaged 20 points over the first six games before focusing more on his role as the floor general because he felt the team had more success with him scoring less.[5] He averaged 14 points over the course of the season and led the team in assists and blocked shots.[5] Following the season, he earned Class B Second Team All-State recognition from The Detroit News and an All-USA Basketball Honorable Mention by USA Today.[14][15] As of March 26, 1998, Webber was being recruited by Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Boston College, Virginia and Maryland.[5] On April 15, the Detroit News reported that he signed his National Letter of Intent with Central Michigan,[16] who had already signed the team's leading scorer, Manciel.[5]

College career

Webber joined the 1998–99 CMU team the same season his brother, Jason, transferred there from Michigan State.[17] Jason had redshirted for the 1995–96 Michigan State Spartans and played for the 1996–97 team.[18][19] At Central Michigan, Webber and his brother Jason were coached by Jay Smith, who had been on the coaching staff for the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball teams that their oldest brother, Chris, played on.[11] Manciel, who had played with him at Detroit Country Day, matriculated to CMU with David.[20][21]

Webber holds the Central Michigan record for McGuirk Arena single-game points (51 vs. Ball State February 24, 2000), breaking the previous arena record set on December 5, 1977 by Larry Bird (45 points),[22] which remained the visiting player record as of the March 2020 update of the Central Michigan Record Book.[23] Webber's 51-point performance was the sixth-highest single-game point total in MAC history at the time.[24] It was also the second-highest point total (highest in regulation) of the 1999–2000 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, trailing only 61 by Eddie House in double-overtime for Arizona State against Cal.[25]

On February 11, 2001, he became one of 15 finalists (along with Battier) for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, presented by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.[26] At the time, Central Michigan was on a 10-game winning streak (17–4); Webber was averaging 20.2 points per game,[27] and the team had clinched its first winning season since Dan Majerle's 1987–88 senior season.[28] He led the MAC in scoring (18.4 ppg) for the 2000–01 season and was the 2001 Mid-American Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year.[29] That season, he led Central Michigan in scoring, rebounding (5.2),[a] assists (2.8) and steals (1.5).[23] His Associated Press 2001 All-American honorable mention made him the second CMU player to receive any type of NCAA All-American recognition (Majerle) and third overall All-American (NAIA).[23][30] He was a first team All-MAC player in 2001 and an honorable mention All-MAC player in the 1999–2000 and 2001–02 MAC seasons.[29] He led Central Michigan in scoring all three of those seasons (19.2, 18.4, 17.7).[23]

Prior to 2001, no MAC team had ever gone from last to first in a single season turnaround, but the 1999–2000 Chippewas (6–23, 2–16) put the subsequent team in position to do so.[11] With support from a bench that included Chris Kaman, he led the 2000–01 Central Michigan team (20–8, 14–4) to a first-place finish that marked the first time in MAC history a team had gone from worst-to-first.[31] The 14.5 game turnaround was second in the nation to Boston College's 15 game turnaround.[32]

The March 2020 update of the Central Michigan Record Book also shows that he holds the Central Michigan record for single-game free throws made (19, vs. Miami 2OT January 5, 2002).[23] During his college career, he started 108 of the 109 games that he played in, and he posted double figures 84 times. He was voted team MVP 3 times.[33] In 2012, Webber was inducted into the CMU Athletics Hall of Fame.[34][35]

Professional career

The Detroit Pistons held workouts in May 2002 for point guards that Webber participated in.[36] Webber went undrafted in the June 26, 2002 NBA draft. He subsequently participated in the Indiana Pacers minicamp in July 2002.[37] Webber attended the October 2002 Sacramento Kings training camp when his brother, Chris, played for the team[38] and survived the first cut.[39] However, in late October, he was released along with Jason Sasser and Corsley Edwards when the Kings reduced their roster to 14 players.[40]

In 2003, Webber played five games for the Oklahoma Storm of the United States Basketball League.[41] Webber was selected by the Asheville Altitude in the 10th round of the 2003 NBA Development League draft.[42] At the team's 16-man training camp he was vying for the point guard position against Andre Smith, Kareem Reid, and Jaquay Walls.[43] On November 13, 2003, Webber was cut when the roster was reduced from 16 players to 12 along with other lower (7th and 9th) draft picks.[44] On January 15, 2004, Webber signed with the Great Lakes Storm of the Continental Basketball Association.[45] In 21 games with them, he averaged 6.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.[41]

Personal life

Webber has 3 older brothers (Chris, Jeffrey and Jason) and a younger sister (Rachel).[1] He was a teammate of his brother Jason at Central Michigan[46] and Detroit Country Day.[3][4] Jason played college basketball at Michigan State (1996–97) and Central Michigan (1998–2000).[19] Chris and David were close, and David is credited with Chris' mid-career free throw shooting improvement.[11]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ His rebounding lead was not total rebounds. Chad Pleiness had 145 in 28 games=5.179 rpg and Webber had 140 in 27 games=5.185 rpg both showing as 5.2 in the record book.[23]

References

  1. ^ a b "Chris Webber Biography". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  2. ^ Downey, Mike (April 6, 1992). "Webber Is All Set to Have Big Night: [Home Edition]". Los Angeles Times. p. 1. ProQuest 281646133. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Bos, Jane (December 30, 1994). "Webber continues Country Day tradition Yellowjackets beat Muskegon Hts. to again take Green Division title". The Grand Rapids Press. p. c1. ProQuest 284498463. Retrieved April 21, 2023. the team was paced by a Webber, this time Jason Webber...David Webber, a 6-2 freshman guard, saw limited action
  4. ^ a b Becker, Bob (February 26, 1995). "Country Day trips Holland Christian". The Grand Rapids Press. p. b1. ProQuest 284516285. Retrieved April 21, 2023. Holland Christian got burned on a four-point play in the closing minute, Jason Webber hitting on a layup. He was fouled, missed the free throw, but Battier knocked in a reverse, over-the-head tip...Country Day's David Webber responded...
  5. ^ a b c d e Markowski, Tom (March 26, 1998). "All-senior unit led teams to titles". Detroit News. p. D9n.
  6. ^ Markowski, Tom (December 5, 1996). "1. Country Day might be better than ever: Final Edition". Detroit News. p. D.6.w. ProQuest 404476252. Retrieved April 21, 2023. Battier is the only senior in Coach Kurt Keener's top seven...The other three starters back are all juniors, Javin Hunter (6-1), Mike Manciel (6-5) and David Webber (6-2).
  7. ^ Sakamoto, Bob (January 17, 1997). "Hoop Du Jour Regrets—From Detroit: Chicago Sports Final, N Edition". Chicago Tribune. p. 12. ProQuest 418295435. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  8. ^ Heiberger, Scott (January 20, 1997). "Manual survives in Loop Rams win battle of defending titlists despite Michigan slowdown: [All Edition]". The Peoria Journal Star. p. D.1. ProQuest 412042021. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
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  10. ^ a b "USA Today Super 25 High School Boys Rankings: [Final Edition]". USA Today. December 4, 1997. p. 10C. ProQuest 408736872. Retrieved April 21, 2023. Favorite for fourth consecutive Class B title behind 6-0 senior Javin Hunter (18.2 ppg), 6-5 senior Mike Manciel (14.2 ppg) and 6-2 David Webber (10.1 ppg).
  11. ^ a b c d Lage, Larry (February 18, 2001). "Webber's Brother Making a Name for Himself". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  12. ^ "USA Today Super 25 High School Boys Rankings: [Final Edition]". USA Today. December 30, 1997. p. 13C. ProQuest 408723088. Retrieved April 21, 2023. David Webber averaged 23 points and Javin Hunter 21 points
  13. ^ Sakamoto, Bob (January 25, 1998). "A Step Up In Class Becomes Too Steep:[Chicagoland Final Edition]". Chicago Tribune. p. 20. ProQuest 418487457. Retrieved April 21, 2023. The visitors were led by David Webber, Chris' younger brother, with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five steals
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  16. ^ "Local / State Roundup: Michigan State, U-M split in softball". Detroit News. April 15, 1998. p. F7.
  17. ^ Spradling, Andy (October 31, 1998). "Transfers boost MAC East power". Charleston Daily Mail. p. 1B. ProQuest 331600397. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  18. ^ "Michigan State". The Peoria Journal Star. November 21, 1996. p. E32. Retrieved April 21, 2023. NEW FACES: 6-2 Fr. Mateen Cleaves (Flint, Mich.), 6-9 Fr. A.J. Granger (Findlay, Ohio),...6-6 RS Fr. Morris Peterson (Flint, Mich), 6-5 RS Fr. Jason Webber (Detroit)...
  19. ^ a b "Jason Webber". Sports Reference. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  20. ^ "NCAA Division I-A Basketball Signings: [Final Edition]". USA Today. August 3, 1998. p. 10C. ProQuest 408784111. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  21. ^ "Mid-American Conference; C. Michigan Tops Bobcats, 70-67: [City Edition]". Dayton Daily News. Associated Press. February 7, 1999. p. 11D. ProQuest 254196270. Retrieved April 21, 2023. David Webber scored 18 points and Mike Manciel added 17...
  22. ^ Lowitt, Bruce; Perez, Anthony; Stephenson, Mike; Thalji, Jamal (February 27, 2000). "The Week In Review Series: The Week In Review; Commentary: [South Pinellas Edition]". St. Petersburg Times. p. 3C. ProQuest 263455437. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
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  24. ^ "Herd women ousted in MAC tourney". The Charleston Gazette. February 29, 2000. p. 4B. ProQuest 331118447. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  25. ^ "Points Well Made: [FINAL Edition]". The Washington Post. January 25, 2003. ProQuest 409393724. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  26. ^ O'Connell, Jim (February 11, 2001). "Special Voices For Special Cause: [Five Star Edition]". Pittsburgh Post - Gazette. p. D-5. ProQuest 391285033. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  27. ^ Davis, Ken (February 11, 2001). "Ask Kansas: It's Cyclone Season: [Statewide Edition]". Hartford Courant. p. E7. ProQuest 256390344. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  28. ^ Timanus, Eddie (February 9, 2001). "Central Michigan goes from last to best in MAC: [FINAL Edition]". USA Today. p. C.13. ProQuest 408819565. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  29. ^ a b "Mid-American Conference Men's Basketball Record Book 2018–19" (PDF). Mid-American Conference. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  30. ^ "ACC trio lead All-Americans: [Final Edition]". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. March 14, 2001. p. 04C. ProQuest 261162562. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  31. ^ Saylor, Jack (March 1, 2001). "Central Completes Worst-to-First Chippewas Down Eagles, 64-57, Win MAC West Title". Detroit Free Press. p. D.6. ProQuest 1270762063. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  32. ^ Potrykus, Jeff (October 20, 2001). "College Basketball Preview 2001". ESPN. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  33. ^ Porter, George Jr. (November 13, 2003). "Younger siblings of NBA stars try to make a name for themselves". Asheville Citizen - Times. p. D.1. ProQuest 438620180. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  34. ^ Bernreuter, Hugh (July 26, 2012). "CMU Athletics Hall of Fame welcomes six new members, including basketball player David Webber". MLive.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "Hall of Fame: David Webber". CMUChippewas.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  36. ^ Blakely, A. Sherrod (May 31, 2002). "Pistons bring in players in search of better play out of point guard: [All Editions]". The Grand Rapids Press. p. B7. ProQuest 285157529. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  37. ^ Smith, Sekou (July 5, 2002). "Butler's Hainje starts quest at Pacers' camp". Indianapolis Star. p. D.1. ProQuest 240539390. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  38. ^ "David Webber Making Name for Himself with Older Brother's Kings". CMUChippewas.com. CBS Sports. October 8, 2002. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  39. ^ "'Little' Webber Gets a Chance At Kings Camp: [Queens-R Edition]". Newsday. Associated Press. October 8, 2002. p. A73. ProQuest 279656843. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  40. ^ Osterholt (October 24, 2002). "NBA Notebook: [Home Edition]". Daily Breeze. p. D2. ProQuest 338507901. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  41. ^ a b "David Webber". statscrew.com. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  42. ^ Porter, George Jr. (November 7, 2003). "Altitude coach gets his top choices". Asheville Citizen - Times. p. D.1. ProQuest 438621151. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  43. ^ Porter, George Jr. (November 11, 2003). "Former Bulldog tries to make the big time". Asheville Citizen - Times. p. D.3. ProQuest 438620561. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  44. ^ Porter, George Jr. (November 14, 2003). "Former Bulldog tries to make the big time". Asheville Citizen - Times. p. C.2. ProQuest 438620301. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  45. ^ "Transactions". The Charleston Gazette. January 15, 2004. p. 2B. ProQuest 331167789. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  46. ^ "CMU rolls in opener". The Grand Rapids Press. November 15, 1998. p. E15. ProQuest 284733075. Retrieved April 21, 2023. Jason Webber scored 20 points in leading Central Michigan to a 88-50 victory over Rochester College on Saturday night. Former Hopkins High star Tim Kisner added 12 points and David Webber 11 for the Chippewas,