Michael Jordan played college basketball for UNC Chapel Hill and then went on to win six NBA Titles with the Chicago Bulls.
Michael Jordan, former North Carolina Tar Heel and Chicago Bull, is arguably the best basketball player of all-time. He came from humble roots and rose to the top through his hard work and dedication.
Early Life
On February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York a legend was born. Almost immediately after his birth the family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina where Jordan developed an early passion for the game of basketball. Michael often played against his brother, Larry, and usually lost. However, this fueled his competitive drive, causing him to practice harder and improve his skills.
High School
Michael Jordan attended Laney High School in Wilmington. An often-told irony is the fact that Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. He was a sophomore and the coach cut him from the varsity team, not thinking that Michael was a high enough caliber player. Unable to accept failure, Jordan practiced with new determination, eventually making the team and leading his school to a state championship.
University of North Carolina
Jordan attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where, as a freshman, he became famous for hitting the game-winning shot of the 1982 National Championship against Patrick Ewing’s Georgetown team. His game improved during his years in college culminating in National Player of the Year honors his junior year.
Chicago Bulls
Michael Jordan was drafted third overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. His rookie season he averaged an astounding 28.2 points per game, winning Rookie of the Year and making the All-Star team. This kind of success was a constant in his career as he earned the following honors: Six-time NBA champion (1991-93, 1996-98), NBA MVP (1988, '91, '92, '96, '98), 10-time All-NBA First Team (1987-93, 1996-98), All-NBA Second Team (1985), Defensive Player of the Year (1988), Nine-time All-Defensive First Team (1988-93, 1996-98), Rookie of the Year (1985), 14-time All-Star; All-Star MVP (1988, '96, '98), One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996), and Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (1984, '92). His career averages were 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game.
Retirement
Since retiring from the Bulls, Jordan became a part owner and president of the Washington Wizards. His tenure lasted from 2000 to 2003 in which time he was heavily criticized for his decisions, most notably taking Kwame Brown with the first overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. Then, in 2006, Michael Jordan became a part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and was put in charge of basketball operations. In this role he is mostly aloof, but occasionally attends practices or makes public statements about the team.
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Other Biographies:
Charles Dickens
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Resources:
23Jordan.com
NBA.com
