Michael Jordan

Last Updated:

November 08, 2021

POS: Position:

G Guard

HGT: Height:

6-6 6-6

WGT: Weight:

215 215

Age: Age:

YOG: Year of Graduation:

1984

Team:

School:

University of North Carolina

Michael Jordan

Is Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player of all time?

It would difficult to argue his isn't.

His numerous achievements on the court world make him hard to vote against.

Six-time NBA champion; two-time Olympic gold medalist; five-time NBA MVP; six-time NBA Finals MVP; 10-time All-NBA first team; 14-time NBA All-Star; three-time NBA All-Star MVP; Defensive Player of the Year; nine-time NBA All-Defensive first team; Rookie of the Year; 50th Anniversary All-Time NBA Team; 10 scoring titles -- an NBA record and seven consecutive matching Wilt Chamberlain; retired as the NBA's all-time leading scorer averaging 30.1 ppg.; Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.

Lastly, consider these facts:

Jordan is the NBA all-time career leader for points averaged, scoring 30.12 ppg. during his 15 seasons.
MJ compiled 32,292 points in 1,072 NBA regular season games and currently ranks fifth on the NBA's all-time scoring list behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,367 in 1,580 games), Karl Malone (36,928 in 1,476 games), LeBron James (34,241 in 1,265 games) and Kobe Bryant (33,643 in 1,346 games).
He was the second fastest player to score 25,000 points (782 games) and 30,000 points (960 games), trailing only the great Wilt Chamberlain (25,000 points in 691 games and 30,000 points in 941 games).
He is one of only seven players to win an NCAA championship, an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal.
He led the last Olympic gold-medal winning team comprised of collegians in 1984.

Certainly in USA Basketball history he ranks among the elite of the elite. He played on seven USA Basketball teams and compiled an overall win-loss record of 39-4 (.907 winning percentage), winning four gold medals and one silver medal. In major FIBA and FIBA Americas competitions, he led USA teams to a shiny 30-0 record while claiming four gold medals.

Halls of Fame:

Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as an individual player (2009) and as a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team (2010).
Inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame (2015).
Inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team (2009).
Inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame (2015).

Honors:

Honored by President Barack Obama in 2016 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Three-time USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1983, 1984 and 1992 as a member of the Dream Team).
On Nov. 1, 1994, had his No. 23 retired by the Chicago Bulls in a ceremony that included the erection of a permanent sculpture known as The Spirit outside the new United Center.
One of eight North Carolina players to have his jersey (23) retired.
Despite the fact that of never playing for them, the Miami Heat retired his No. 23 before his final game in Miami in 2003.

USA Basketball Notes:

Gold Medals: 1984 and 1992 Olympics; 1992 Tournament of the Americas; 1983 Pan American Games.
Silver Medal: 1981 U.S. Olympic Festival.
Played on seven USA Basketball teams and compiled an overall win-loss record of 39-4 (.907 winning percentage), winning four gold medals and one silver medal.
Wore No. 9 with U.S. Olympic teams in 1992 and 1984, No. 5 for the USA at the 1983 Pan American Games and No. 7 in 1982 with the Select Team and No. 8 with the 1981 U.S. Olympic Festival South Team.

Member of the 1992 gold medalist U.S. Olympic Team that finished with a perfect 8-0 record. Played and started in all eight games, averaged 23.1 minutes, a team second-best 14.9 ppg., 2.4 rpg., a team second-best 4.8 apg. and a team-high 4.6 spg. Shot 51.1% from the field and 68.4% from the foul line.
In the USA's pre-Olympic exhibition game victory (111-71) versus France in Monte Carlo, Monaco, tied for team-high with 21 points (10-16 FGs), added two rebounds, one blocked shot and two steals in 21 minutes of action
Member of 1992 USA Tournament of the Americas Team, played in six games, started five games, averaged 12.7 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 5.0 apg. and 1.8 spg. Shot 54.7% from the field, 39.1% from 3-point and 75.0% from the foul line.
Member of the 1984 gold medal winning U.S. Olympic Team that finished with a perfect 8-0 record. Played and started in all eight games, averaged a team-best 17.1 ppg., 3.0 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.5 spg. Shot 54.5% from the field and 68.0% from the foul line
During the USA's 1984 pre-Olympic exhibition tour, played in all nine games, averaged a team-high 16.9 ppg., 3.8 rpg. and 2.9 apg. Shot 47.9 percent from the field and 79.2 percent from the foul line.
Member of 1983 USA Pan American Games team that finished 8-0 and won the gold medal. Played in all eight games, averaged a team-high 17.3 ppg. and 2.5 rpg., shot 44.8% from the field and 85.7% from the foul line.
Member of the 1982 USA Select Team that competed against a European all-star team and played a three-game series with the Yugoslavia National Team honoring the 50th anniversary of the formation of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). In the three games statistics are available for, averaged a team-high 18.0 ppg., 3.7 rpg. and 1.7 apg. Shot 53.5 percent from the field and 66.7% from the foul line.
Member of the silver medalist 1981 U. S. Olympic Festival South Team, averaged 13.5 ppg. and 4.0 rpg.

USA Basketball Records:

In U.S. men's Olympic career records ranks fourth (tied) for games (16), fifth in points scored (256), seventh for points averaged (16.0); second for field goals made (111), second for field goals attempted (223), seventh for assists (54) and first for steals (49).
Ranks first in U.S. men's Olympic single-game field goals attempted with 22 vs. Croatia (7/27/92), first (tied) for assists with 12 vs. Germany (7/29/92) and first for steals with eight vs. Angola (7/26/92) and vs. Croatia (7/27/92).
Ranks fifth in U.S. men's Olympic competition records for points with 137 (1984), second for field goals made with 60 (1984), first in field goals attempted with 113 (1992), and first in steals with 37 (1992).
In USA FIBA Tournament of the Americas Championships competition records, ranks fifth (tied) for assists averaged (5.0) and third for steals averaged (1.83).
In USA Pan American Games career records, ranks third (tied) for scoring with 138 (1983).
In USA Pan American Games competition records, ranks third for points with 138 (1983) and sixth for points averaged with 17.3 (1983).
In USA Pan American Games single-game records, ranks seventh (tied) for scoring with 27 points vs. Brazil (8/16/83).

NBA Highlights:

Played 15 seasons (1984-85 - 1997-98, 2001-02 - 2002-03) in the NBA, 13 seasons (1984-85 - 1997-98) with the Chicago Bulls and two seasons (2001-02 - 2002-03) with the Washington Wizards.
Owns a career win-loss regular season record of 706-366 (.659 winning percentage) and was 639-291 (.687 winning percentage) with the Chicago Bulls.
Won six NBA championships (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998) with the Chicago Bulls.
Led the NBA in scoring in 10 seasons, a NBA record, and tied Wilt Chamberlain's record of seven consecutive scoring titles.
Holds the NBA career regular season and playoff scoring records, averaged 30.1 ppg. and 33.4 ppg., respectively.
Compiled 32,292 points in regular season play and ranks fifth on the NBA's all-time scoring list behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,367 in 1,580 games), Karl Malone (36,928 in 1,476 games), LeBron James (34,241 in 1,265 games) and Kobe Bryant (33,643 in 1,346 games).
Played in 1,072 regular season games, started 1,039 games, compiled 32,292 points (30.1 ppg.), 6,672 rebounds (6.2 rpg.), 5,663 assists (5.3 apg.), 2,514 steals (2.4 spg.), and shot 47.7% from the field (12,192-24,537), 32.7% from 3-point (581-1,776) and 83.5% from the foul line (7,327-8,772).
All-time career leader for points averaged in the NBA Playoffs averaging 33.5 ppg., ranks second for points scored in the playoffs with 5,987 points.
Played and started in 179 career NBA playoffs games, compiled a 119-60 record, 5,987 points (33.5 ppg.), 1,152 rebounds (6.4 rpg.), 1,022 assists (5.7 apg.) and 376 steals (2.1 spg.). Shot 48.6% from the field, 33.2% from 3-point and 82.8% from the foul line.
Named to the NBA All-Defensive first team nine times, a NBA record he shares with Gary Payton, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant.
Won five regular-season MVPs (tied for second place with Bill Russell—only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has won more, with six), a NBA record six NBA Finals MVPs, and three All-Star Game MVPs.
Finished among the top three in regular-season MVP voting 10 times.
Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.
One of only seven players in history to win an NCAA championship, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal.
In 1999, an ESPN survey of journalists, athletes and other sports figures ranked Jordan the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century. The Associated Press voted him the greatest basketball player of the 20th century.
Jordan appeared on the front cover of Sports Illustrated a record 50 times.
Named to NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.
Six-time NBA Finals MVP (1991–1993, 1996–1998).
Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1988, 1991–1992,1996, 1998).
Ten-time All-NBA first team selection (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998).
Once named All-NBA second team (1985).
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988).
Nine-time NBA All-Defensive first team (1988–1993,1996–1998).
NBA Rookie of the Year (1985).
NBA All-Rookie first team (1985).
Fourteen-time NBA All-Star (1985–1993, 1996–1998, 2002–2003).
Three-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996 and 1998).
Received in the All-Star Game fan ballots, the most votes a record nine times.
Ten-time NBA scoring champion (1987–1993, 1996–1998).
Three-time NBA steals champion (1988, 1990 and 1993).
Two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1987 and 1988).
Chicago Bulls all-time leading scorer.
Three-time A.P. Athlete of the Year (1991, 1992, 1993).
Announced his retirement from the NBA on Oct. 6, 1993, saying he has nothing left to prove in basketball.
Signed a Minor League Baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox on Feb. 7, 1994, and was assigned to the team's minor league system on March 31, 1994.
In 1994, played for the Birmingham Barons, a Double-A minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, batting .202 with three home runs, 51 runs batted in, 30 stolen bases, 114 strikeouts, and 51 bases on balls. He also appeared for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the 1994 Arizona Fall League, batting .252.
Announced on March 18, 1995, that he would rejoin the Chicago Bulls and the next day in a nationally televised game against the Indiana Pacers, wearing No. 45, the same number he wore for the Barons and as a basketball player in junior high school, he played 38 minutes and recorded 19 points, six rebounds and six assists in Chicago's 103-96 overtime loss to Indiana.
Officially announced his retirement from the NBA on Jan. 13, 1999.
Announces his return to the NBA on Sept. 25, 2001, agreeing to a two-year deal to play for the Washington Wizards.
In his first regular season game since coming out of retirement, scored 19 points in a Washington Wizards loss to the New York Knicks 93-91 at Madison Square Garden (10/30/01).
Played his final NBA game, scoring 15 points in Washington's 107-87 loss at Philadelphia (4/16/03).
Selected third overall in the 1984 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie.

Collegiate Notes:
Played three collegiate seasons (1981-82 – 1983-84) of basketball at the University of North Carolina.
In three seasons, played in 101 games, compiled 1,788 points (17.7 ppg.), 509 rebounds (5.0 rpg.), 181 assists (1.8 apg.), 169 steals (1.7 spg.), shot 54.0% from the field and 74.8% from the foul line.
North Carolina compiled an 88-13 overall record and was 42-4 in ACC regular-season play in his three seasons. Led UNC to three NCAA Tournaments, including a national title in 1982, three Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season championships, including an undefeated record in 1983–84, and one ACC Tournament championship (1982).
North Carolina finished his three seasons ranked No. 1 in 1981-82, No. 8 in 1982-83 and No. 1 in 1983-84.
Was just the fourth freshman to start his first college game for head coach Dean Smith.
Scored in double figures in 90 of 101 games (63 of 67 games as a sophomore and junior).
Led his UNC team in scoring as a sophomore (20.0 ppg.) and junior (19.6 ppg.). As a freshman, he was the third-leading scorer (13.5 ppg.) behind junior James Worthy and sophomore Sam Perkins.
As a freshman at North Carolina, made the game-winning basket for the Tar Heels 63-62 win in the NCAA championship game against Georgetown. His 16 points against Georgetown in 1982 are the most by a Tar Heel freshman in a NCAA national championship game.
Twice named consensus All-American first team (1983 and 1984).
Two-time The Sporting News College Player of the Year (1983 and 1984).
Named 1984 A.P., U.P.I. and USBWA National College Player of the Year, 1984 Adolph Rupp Trophy and John R. Wooden Award recipient, 1984 ACC Player of the Year, 1984 ACC Athlete of the Year, 1982-83 and 1983-84 All-ACC first team and 1982 ACC Rookie of the Year.

Personal Notes:
Born in Brooklyn, New York, grew-up in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Son of Delores and James Jordan. Has two older brothers, Larry Jordan and James R. Jordan Jr., one older sister, Deloris, and one younger sister, Roslyn.
Attended Laney High school in Wilmington, North Carolina, and famously as a 5-foot-11 sophomore, he was cut from the varsity basketball team.
Nicknamed “MJ” and "Air Jordan" as part of his Nike sneaker advertising campaign.

USA Basketball Statistics

TEAM	G/S	FGM-A	PCT	3PM-A	PCT	FTM-A	PCT	REB/AVG	PTS/AVG	AST	BLK	STL
1992 OLY	8/8	51-113	.451	4- 19	.211	13- 19	.684	19/ 2.4	119/ 14.9	38	4	37
1992 OLYX	1/1	10- 16	.625	0- 2	.000	1- 2	.500	2/ 2.0	21/ 21.0	0	1	2
1992 TOA	6/5	29- 53	.547	9- 23	.391	9- 12	.750	23/ 3.8	76/ 12.7	30	5	11
1984 OLY	8/8	60-110	.545			17- 25	.680	24/ 3.0	137/ 17.1	16	7	12
1984 OLYX	9/-	57-119	.479			38- 48	.792	34/ 3.8	152/ 16.9	26
1983 PAG	8/-	60-134	.448			18- 21	.857	20/ 2.5	138/ 17.3
*1982 SEL	3/-	23- 43	.535			8- 12	.667	11/ 3.7	54/ 18.0	5		9
1981 USOFS	4/1	22- 50	.440			10- 14	.714	16/ 4.0	54/ 13.5	1	1	3
TOTALS	47/23	312-638	.489	13- 44	.295	104-139	.748	149/ 3.2	751/ 16.0	116	18	74

* Individual statistical totals reflect cumulatives of only three games. Box scores for the USA's first game versus the European All-Stars (84-104), and the USA's first game versus Yugoslavia (92-90) are not available.