Michael Jordan, born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, is an American basketball legend, renowned for his prowess as one of the greatest all-around players in the history of the game. Growing up in Wilmington, North Carolina, he entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981.
As a freshman, Jordan clinched victory with the winning basket against Georgetown in the 1982 national championship game. His sophomore and junior years saw him named College Player of the Year, prompting his departure from North Carolina after his junior year. Jordan’s impact extended beyond the collegiate scene, as he led the U.S. basketball team to Olympic gold in 1984 in Los Angeles and in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain.
Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984, Jordan’s inaugural professional season (1984–85) showcased his scoring prowess, leading the league and earning him the Rookie of the Year title. Despite a setback due to a broken foot in the following season, he returned to dominate the NBA scoring charts for seven consecutive seasons, averaging approximately 33 points per game.
In the 1986–87 season, he became only the second player, following Wilt Chamberlain, to score 3,000 points in a single season. Jordan’s prowess earned him the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade five times (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998) and the Defensive Player of the Year in 1988. After leading the Bulls to their third consecutive championship in October 1993, Jordan briefly retired to pursue a career in professional baseball but returned to basketball in March 1995.
The 1995–96 season saw Jordan lead the Bulls to a historic 72–10 regular season record, a feat surpassed only in 2015–16 by the Golden State Warriors. From 1996 to 1998, the Bulls, under Jordan’s leadership, secured three consecutive championships, with Jordan named MVP of the NBA finals each time. After the 1997–98 season, he retired again, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Remaining connected to basketball, Jordan bought a share of the Washington Wizards in January 2000, later assuming the role of president of basketball operations. In September 2001, he relinquished his ownership and management positions with the Wizards to return as a player. His return injected enthusiasm into the league, addressing declining attendance and television ratings. After the 2002–03 season, Jordan announced his final retirement, concluding his career with 32,292 total points and a 30.12-points-per-game average.
In 2006, Jordan became the minority owner and general manager of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, later acquiring a controlling interest in 2010, marking him as the first former NBA player to become a majority owner of a franchise.
Standing at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters), Jordan, a guard, possessed exceptional shooting and passing skills, coupled with tenacious defending. His extraordinary leaping ability and acrobatic maneuvers earned him the moniker “Air Jordan,” reaching unprecedented popularity. Beyond the court, he amassed millions through endorsements, notably for his Air Jordan basketball shoes. His success extended to the film industry, starring in the acclaimed Space Jam (1996) alongside animated characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.
Recognizing his impact, the NBA named Jordan one of the 50 greatest players in 1996, and in 2009, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His contributions to sports and society were further acknowledged with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, solidifying Michael Jordan’s legacy as an icon in the world of basketball and beyond.
