In a column for the New York Times, today, former Duke player and current Phoenix Suns star Grant Hill hit back at his college rival Jalen Rose over comments he made in "The Fab Five" a new film screened by ESPN Sunday. In the film, Rose talked about his hatred for Duke – saying that Duke would only recruit players who were "Uncle Toms."

Saying he was a longtime fan of the Fab Five as well as a rival, Hill called Rose out for insulting the Duke team.

"It was a sad and somewhat pathetic turn of events…to see friends narrating this interesting documentary about their moment in time and calling me a bitch and worse, calling all black players at Duke "Uncle Toms" and, to some degree, disparaging my parents for their education, work ethic and commitment to each other and to me," Hill writes in the column.

"My teammates at Duke — all of them, black and white — were a band of brothers who came together to play at the highest level for the best coach in basketball. I know most of the black players who preceded and followed me at Duke. They all contribute to our tradition of excellence on the court.

"It is insulting and ignorant to suggest that men like Johnny Dawkins (coach at Stanford), Tommy Amaker (coach at Harvard), Billy King (general manager of the Nets), Tony Lang (coach of the Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins in Japan), Thomas Hill (small-business owner in Texas), Jeff Capel (former coach at Oklahoma and Virginia Commonwealth), Kenny Blakeney (assistant coach at Harvard), Jay Williams (ESPN analyst), Shane Battier (Memphis Grizzlies) and Chris Duhon (Orlando Magic) ever sold out their race."

The film tells the story of Michigan's 'Fab Five' – Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson— who joined Michigan's basketball program in 1991 and took the Wolverines to back-to-back Final Four appearances, only to lose both national title games. It also spoke about the large sums of money that were made on shoes, gear and memorabilia, while the players, who did not come from wealthy backgrounds, still struggled financially.

Hill also writes about his own family's struggles and sacrifices, noting that his grandfather was a daylaborer who could not read or write but was determined that his son would be educated.

"This is part of our great tradition as black Americans. We aspire for the best or better for our children and work hard to make that happen for them. Jalen's mother is part of our great black tradition and made the same sacrifices for him."

Rose was making a mistake when he suggested that African Americans who went to Duke were somehow selling out, Hill writes.

"It is insulting and ignorant to suggest that men like Johnny Dawkins (coach at Stanford), Tommy Amaker (coach at Harvard), Billy King (general manager of the Nets), Tony Lang (coach of the Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins in Japan), Thomas Hill (small-business owner in Texas), Jeff Capel (former coach at Oklahoma and Virginia Commonwealth), Kenny Blakeney (assistant coach at Harvard), Jay Williams (ESPN analyst), Shane Battier (Memphis Grizzlies) and Chris Duhon (Orlando Magic) ever sold out their race. "

He signs off with an appeal to Rose and the Fab Five, pointing out that many people bad mouthed them without justification.

"I caution my fabulous five friends to avoid stereotyping me and others they do not know in much the same way so many people stereotyped them back then for their appearance and swagger. I wish for you the restoration of the bond that made you friends, brothers and icons.

"I am proud of my family. I am proud of my Duke championships and all my Duke teammates. And, I am proud I never lost a game against the Fab Five."