CHRIS WEBBER
Chris Webber on Sacramento:
"By God's Grace, I ended up right where I belonged"
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The Sacramento Kings are experiencing a resurgence, led by young stars like De'Aaron Fox, Malik Monk and Domantas Sabonis. After last year’s third place finish, the vibe is hopeful, harkening back to a time when Chris Webber led the “Greatest Show on the Court.”
Dubbed “The Greatest Show on the Court” by Sports Illustrated, the early 2000s Sacramento Kings were legendary for their streetball approach which featured a high intensity offense that prioritized quick passing and teamwork. The Kings were both highly effective on the court and highly entertaining to watch from the bleachers, earning their moniker as the Greatest Show.
As any Kings fan can attest, Chris Webber was the face of the Kings during this exciting and successful era. The 5-time NBA All-Star and NBA Rookie of the Year played for several teams, but it was his time in Sacramento that defined him. Webber’s new memoir, By God’s Grace, available now, explores many facets of the Hall of Famer’s incredible basketball journey. But perhaps no part of that journey was more significant than his time in Sacramento.
“My career wouldn’t be as fulfilled if it wasn’t for Sacramento,” recalls Webber who credits his time with the Kings as helping him uncover his basketball identity. “Sacramento and I needed each other.”
On April 12th, Webber returns to Sacramento to celebrate the city that made him who he is. The irony is that Webber never intended to come to Sacramento at all.
Click here to order Webber's highly-anticipated memoir, By God's Grace.
“I thought I was going to be a Laker and play with Shaq,” Webber laughs about the trade from the Washington Wizards that brought him to Sacramento. “The grace of God is not being allowed to work against yourself.”
At the time of the fateful trade, Sacramento was primarily a losing franchise. On paper, that made the city an undesirable landing place for Webber, but it turned out to be an opportunity. The city was looking for a leader to inspire them and Webber was looking for a place he could make a real difference, on the court and off. His presence awoke a fervor in the Sacramento fan base that’s still felt today. Returning to Golden 1 Center this April to celebrate his successful Kings tenure has given Webber cause to reflect on an era that came to define both him and the city.
“Honestly, it feels great to be part of a story of overcoming,” he says. “We were the underdog. I arrived thinking that was a con, but it ended up being a major pro.”
My career wouldn’t be as fulfilled if it wasn’t for Sacramento... Sacramento and I needed each other.”
Webber describes his time in Sacramento as at turns “healing” and “welcoming.” Sacramento, surrounded by the natural beauty, with escapes to Lake Tahoe and the Redwoods a quick drive away, brought peace and solace to a man who most of his life had relied on an unquenchable fire that motivated him to be the best. Sacramento was a place without distractions that Webber’s spurred spiritual growth. It gave him a place to get his passion and frustration out on the court while providing him what he calls “a second home.”
Webber says he’s looking forward to connecting to some with his beloved teammates and fans at this year’s commemorative event. “My time there was one of the best memories of my life,” he says. “They were the best teammates in a great organization with incredible fans.”
There was Jason Williams, AKA “White Chocolate”—or as Webber calls him, “J-Will.” “He’s the craziest guy you’ll ever meet,” laughs Webber, who compares their partnership to the film Twins. “We were definitely an odd couple.”
Mike Bibby, who was Webber’s pick and roll partner, invited Webber to become part of his family. “His mom would cook for me. I still remember her famous Roti!”
Vlade Divac was Webber’s “big brother,” taking him to Montenegro to meet his family and neighbors.
Peja Stojaković was the “all-time best dresser” in the NBA. “I called him ‘tight pants.’ He showed me how to wear a tie!”
Then there was “Hedo,” Hidayet Türkoğlu from Turkey, who was like a brother to Webber.
All told, this diverse group of players gave the Kings an international flair that Webber thrived on. But the Kings fans put Webber’s time in Sacramento over the top, epitomized by the legendary Barbara Rust AKA “Sign Lady.” Since 1985, Barbara and her husband, Niko, have been loyal Kings supporters, ultimately gaining acclaim for their handcrafted signs displayed from their seats that creatively spread positive messages to the team.
“I’ll never forget Sign Lady,” Webber says fondly of the ESPN Fan Hall of Famer. Webber relishes the fact that among Kings fans, known as some of the loudest fans in the world, whose cowbells would give the opposition migraines, Sign Lady was famous for never saying a word at all. “She kept us going, for sure.”
My time there was one of the best memories of my life... They were the best teammates in a great organization with incredible fans.”
Webber prioritized giving back to his second home
during his career and after it ended. His philanthropic work reflects a love and respect for a legacy that’s forever intertwined with the city. In 1999, Webber created C-Webb's Crew, which donates Kings tickets for every regular home season game to at-risk youth. To date, over 3,000 youths and their families have attended a game through C-Webb's Crew.
His personal collection of African American artifacts—which includes an original 1901 publication of Booker T. Washington’s autobiography plus various documents, letters, and postcards signed by Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X—is permanently housed at the Sacramento Public Library's Archival Vault.
And no one forgets Chris Webber’s heroic efforts to
keep the Kings in Sacramento when relocation was a
serious possibility.
The lessons Webber learned while he was in Sacramento stick with him even today, many of which became the backbone of By God’s Grace, his recently published memoir about his storied NBA career.
“Sacramento taught me how to approach new challenges without reservations,” he explains. “What ifs and second chances are natural, but when we don’t give God’s grace a chance, we’re selling ourselves short. Waiting is an action. Planning everything out to the end without enjoying the journey is a mistake.”
Of the upcoming festivities during the weekend of April 12-14, Webber says he’s excited to return. “I’m forever indebted to Sacramento. I wasn’t Sacramento’s gift. Sacramento was a gift to me. They gave me everything I needed and everything I wanted. Sacramento was the perfect place for me.”
02
Young Webber navigates manipulation, unfamiliar pressures on road to Ann Arbor
He was the most prized high school basketball player in America. Pressures ran high as Webber navigated the college recruitment process, and there were a few key moments (and guidance from an NBA legend) that tipped the ball in favor of the Michigan Wolverines.
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Lessons in consistency: How Chris Webber's mother inspired greatness
03
To become a legend it takes consistent greatness year after year. For Chris Webber, consistency was modeled to him by his mother, Doris Webber.
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Order Chris Webber’s highly-anticipated memoir today at chriswebber.com
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