Jalen Rose enjoyed a celebrated college basketball career as a key member of the University of Michigan’s “Fab Five” in the early ’90s. However, Rose’s skills and qualities went beyond basketball as he also ticked the boxes of a sports TV or radio personality.
Growing up, Jalen idolized iconic NBA figures Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas . But unlike other youngsters his age, Rose didn’t only admire Magic and Zeke for their incredible basketball skills. He was also in awe of the Hall of Famers’ charisma off the court.
As far back as “Jinx” remembers, he always wanted to be like two of his idols. By this, Rose meant he aspired to be not only an NBA star but also a charismatic and skilled sports media personality. Thankfully, Jalen became both.
“To be honest with you, my major in college was Communications: Radio/TV/Film, so I always felt confident,” Rose told Hoopshype in 2019. “I felt like, ‘If I can’t be Magic Johnson on the floor, I’m going to try to be him off the floor.’ That’s what I told myself because he was the guy I idolized. Really, if you notice, I just follow my idols. Magic worked in media. Isiah Thomas worked in media. They both have these nice big smiles; I needed veneers to get mine. (Laughs) I really just followed what those guys did.”