Who is athlete Michael Jordan?
Michael Jeffrey Jordan, widely known as Michael Jordan or “MJ,” is an American former professional basketball player and businessman. Born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, he became one of the most celebrated players in NBA history through his careers with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. Jordan won six NBA championships with the Bulls, earned five NBA Most Valuable Player awards, and was a key member of the United States’ 1992 Olympic “Dream Team.”
Background/biography
Michael Jordan was born to James R. Jordan Sr. and Deloris Jordan. Although he was born in New York City, his family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, when he was young. He attended Emsley A. Laney High School, where he developed as a multi-sport athlete before becoming increasingly focused on basketball.
Jordan attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, playing for coach Dean Smith and the North Carolina Tar Heels. As a freshman, he made the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA championship game against Georgetown. He left college after his junior season to enter the 1984 NBA draft, later completing a degree in geography from North Carolina.
Basketball career
- Won the 1982 NCAA championship with the University of North Carolina.
- Selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA draft.
- Won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998.
- Won five NBA Most Valuable Player awards: 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998.
- Won six NBA Finals MVP awards, one for each of his Bulls championships.
- Won two Olympic gold medals with the United States, in 1984 and 1992.
- Played briefly in Minor League Baseball after his first retirement from basketball.
- Returned to the NBA with the Washington Wizards from 2001 to 2003.
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Jordan became known for his scoring ability, defensive intensity, competitiveness, and performances in high-pressure games. He won 10 NBA scoring titles and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team nine times. His success with the Bulls helped turn the franchise into a global sports brand during the 1990s.
After retiring as a player, Jordan remained involved in professional basketball and business. He became the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, later renamed the Charlotte Hornets, and sold his majority stake in the franchise in 2023 while retaining a minority interest.
The shot that defined a Bulls era
One of Jordan’s most remembered moments came in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. He scored the decisive late basket, often called “The Last Shot,” to give the Bulls the lead and help secure their sixth championship. The play became closely associated with the end of the Bulls’ 1990s championship run.
Jordan’s jersey number, 23, became one of the most recognizable numbers in sports. His influence also extended beyond basketball through endorsements, especially his long-running partnership with Nike and the Jordan Brand line of footwear and apparel.
Net worth
Michael Jordan’s net worth has been estimated by Forbes at around $3.5 billion in recent reporting, though such figures are estimates and can change with the value of investments and business holdings. His major income sources have included NBA earnings, Nike’s Jordan Brand royalties, endorsement agreements, investments, and proceeds connected to his ownership stake in the Charlotte Hornets.
Fun facts about Michael Jordan
- Jordan wore number 23 for most of his career, a number associated with his older brother, Larry Jordan.
- He briefly wore number 45 during his 1995 return to the Chicago Bulls after playing professional baseball.
- Jordan won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest twice, in 1987 and 1988.
- He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1988.
- His 1992 United States Olympic team was widely known as the “Dream Team” and included several NBA stars.
- He starred in the 1996 live-action and animated sports film Space Jam.
