Michael Jordan is a celebrated American athlete who achieved unprecedented success in basketball. His incredible spiritual fortitude, relentless effort, and deep love for the sport propelled him to global fame and countless accolades. How did he do it? Let’s dive into his story on chicagovski.com.
Early Life and Youth
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 17, 1963, Michael spent most of his childhood in Chicago. After his birth, his parents, James and Deloris, moved to Wilmington. Michael’s mother, a bank teller, authored numerous books, while his father worked for General Electric. He wasn’t an only child; he had two older brothers and two sisters. From a young age, Michael showed a keen interest in sports, actively playing both basketball and football. His passion truly ignited when his older brother, Larry, consistently beat him in one-on-one games. Seeing his sons’ potential, their father built them a basketball court in the backyard.
In high school, at A. Laney High School, Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team as a sophomore. Ironically, he was cut because he wasn’t tall enough. Instead of giving up after this setback, he used it as fuel to achieve greatness, practicing for hours on the court. Eventually, Michael made the team and led them to a state championship victory.
Developing a Sports Career
Jordan earned a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina. His freshman year brought him widespread recognition after he sank the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship final against the Georgetown Hoyas. Soon after, Jordan was named the College Player of the Year for the 1983-1984 season, which led him to the men’s U.S. national basketball team and a gold medal at the Summer Olympics under coach Bobby Knight.
In 1984, Michael left college and entered the NBA draft, where the Chicago Bulls selected him third overall. It’s worth noting that the Bulls had only won 28 games the previous season. Fittingly, he played his first professional game against Washington in 1984. He immediately made a splash in the league, proving he belonged among the elite players. The athlete finished his debut season as one of the league’s top scorers. Averaging 28.2 points per game, he was named Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Star team.
In 1992, Jordan competed in the Summer Olympics as part of the “Dream Team.” This marked the first time NBA players were allowed to participate in the Olympics. Michael averaged 12.7 points per game, and the Dream Team dominated with a 6-0 record, securing a gold medal, Jordan’s second of his career.
After his third championship, significant changes occurred in the athlete’s life. His father, who had stopped to nap on his way home, was tragically murdered by two armed robbers in North Carolina. The NBA also began an investigation, accusing Jordan of illegally betting on NBA games. He was eventually cleared. These events led Jordan to lose motivation and his desire to prove himself as a basketball player, making him feel it was time to step away from the sport.
Bouncing back from adversity, the athlete returned to professional sports. He signed a contract with the minor league team, the Chicago White Sox. His presence in the minor leagues drew massive crowds. During that time, he batted .202 with 114 strikeouts in 127 games.
On March 18, 1995, Jordan officially announced his return to the Chicago Bulls. The athlete knew he’d have to prove to the world once again that he was still the greatest basketball player in history and would be even greater in the upcoming season. Michael led the Chicago Bulls to an astonishing 72-10 record, the best in NBA regular-season history. He became the league’s scoring leader. In 1996, he was recognized as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
Major Achievements
No one could doubt that Michael Jordan is a legendary player in basketball history. No one in NBA history has achieved such exceptional results. Jordan was named the league’s Most Valuable Player five times, was the scoring champion ten times, and won six NBA championships. Michael retired from basketball for the second time of his own volition in 1999. In 2000, he became a co-owner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards. In 2001, Jordan announced he was returning to basketball again to play for the Wizards. With Michael’s arrival, the team improved its performance, and he was selected for his 13th All-Star game. Unexpectedly, he suffered a serious knee injury and missed the latter part of the season.
Many claim his previous sudden return to the sport was driven by a desire to satisfy his own passion and to mentor younger athletes. He officially retired in 2003 with 32,292 points and an average of 30.12 points per game, the best in NBA history.
For his immense contributions to sports, Michael was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. His press conference lasted over 20 minutes, during which he thanked his teammates and coaches for inspiring him throughout the years. In conclusion, he noted that basketball was everything to him – primarily a source of both profound pain and immense joy.