Ex-Michigan basketball star Jalen Rose to join ESPN's hoops version of 'College GameDay'
Jalen Rose's career as a basketball analyst is about to take a leap forward.
ESPN announced Monday that the former Michigan basketball star will become part of the network's hoops version of "College GameDay" next season.
Rose will replace former analyst Hubert Davis, and will join the already formed crew of Rece Davis, Digger Phelps and Jay Bilas for the program next season.
Former Michigan basketball star Jalen Rose will become part of ESPN's College basketball GameDay next season.
AnnArbor.com file photo
“I’m eager to join College GameDay with Rece, Digger, Jay, and the amazing fans across the country," Rose said in a statement. "Calling games courtside feeling the spirit and electricity of the crowd plus hearing the gym squeak will be a treat.”
Rose has been part of ESPN's NBA coverage since 2007, mainly serving as a "studio analyst" during that time.
Last season, he was part of an ESPN broadcasting team that called Michigan's 72-62 win at Illinois in March. Next season, he'll be joining the same national "GameDay" program that made an appearance in Crisler Center prior to the team's 56-51 win over Ohio State in February.
“Jalen’s NBA analysis has been insightful and engaging and that style will translate to the college game," ESPN senior vice president and executive producer Mark Gross said in a statement, "where he’s remained closely connected since the ‘Fab Five’ days.”
Prior to his 13-year NBA career, Rose was part of Michigan's famed Fab Five recruiting class. Rose set the school's freshman scoring record in 1991-92 with 597 points (17.6 per game).
An All-American in 1993-94, Rose finished his three-year career with a scoring average of 17.5 points per game. He added 4.7 rebounds per game and 3.9 assists per contest.
Recently, Rose has been critical of the university for its decision to keep the program's vacated 1992 and 1993 Final Four banners in storage. The banners were removed in the wake of the Ed Martin scandal.
The program's disassociation period from Rose's Fab Five teammate, Chris Webber, ends in May of 2013.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
VO Key
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
Rose was never implicated in the Ed Martin scandal but he did admit to having an improper relationship with a booster while at UofM in the Fab 5 documentary. I have a problem with him commenting on college basketball if he does not embrace the concept of amateurism. Had he been at all apologetic about the most embarrassing scandal in the history of the University I would embrace him, but he doesn't feel that anything he or his colleagues did was wrong. I can't understand the decision to ignore this nefarious decision and make him part of college basketball on ESPN.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 8:50 p.m.
Was Rose convicted of taking payoffs to come to Michigan? I don't remember that. Your comment about having an improper relationship, as you call it, with a booster, makes no sense. The question of amateurism has nothing to do with a player's romantic life, to use another euphemism, unless that was granted to him for the sake of getting him to come to or stay at Michigan playing basketball. Was it? Or did he come to MIchigan for the chance to be part of something special and to play ball at a very special place? If you know that he was bribed with money or, well, you know, then say so and let me be upset, too. If not, then what's the problem? Or do you think the legal actions of a very young man should be used to prevent him from advancing his career for the rest of his life? If so, then an awful lot of other people are in dire trouble, too.
semperveritas
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.
'nefarious decision' ?? you're kidding, right. it's a BUSINESS decision. jalen is bright / articulate / knowledgeable. abc---espn wants an audience to sell chevrolets or cadillacs or hondas. jalen will be there to help build that audience. it may be crafty; it may be smart; it may even be brilliant. one thing it isn't is nefarious.
lefty48197
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:13 p.m.
I wonder if any of his gangsta buddies can drag their tails out of bed by noon and catch the broadcasts?
Blue Marker
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 1:53 a.m.
Archie Bunker called, you're late for the meeting.
semperveritas
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:06 p.m.
great for jalen. doing a good job for espn is a lifetime guarantee of a great gig. the network has MADE vitale and digger, and neither has jalen's insight or knowledge. nor will he spend his time sucking up to coaches as the other two feel compelled to do.
vi4mi4
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.
Fab! Go Blue! v
burton163
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 9:35 p.m.
I always enjoy listening to what Jalen has to say...he's well spoken and really seems to know the game of basketball. Good move by ESPN.