Amanda Knapp
Michael Jordan is a former collegiate and professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Jordan played basketball for 18 years, from 1981 when he began playing for the University of North Carolina, until 2003 when he ended his career with the Washington Wizards. During his career, Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards, winning six NBA championships and six NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| NBA career length | 15 seasons |
| First NBA season | 1984-1985 |
| First NBA title | 1991 |
| First retirement | 1993 |
| First return | 1995 |
| Second retirement | 1998 |
| Second return | 2001 |
| Final retirement | 2003 |
| Total points | 32,292 |
| Points per game average | 30.1 |
| Steals | 2,514 |
| College basketball career | 1981-1984 |
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What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan's first retirement
Michael Jordan is a former collegiate and professional basketball player widely considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Jordan's first retirement from basketball came in 1993, when he abruptly retired before the 1993-94 NBA season, citing physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom.
Jordan's talent was clear from his first NBA season in 1984, when he was named Rookie of the Year. He led the NBA in scoring for seven consecutive seasons, averaging about 33 points per game, and was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) five times. By 1993, Jordan had won three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, and his retirement came as a shock to the basketball world, causing a "seismic" recoil.
During his first retirement, Jordan pursued a career in professional baseball, playing the 1994 season with the Birmingham Barons, a minor-league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Despite not being in basketball shape, Jordan's athletic prowess was evident as he dropped 19 points in his first game back and scored 55 points in his fifth game.
Jordan's first retirement lasted about 17 months, as he returned to the Bulls in March 1995, leading them to three more championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998. Jordan's impact on the NBA was profound, and he is credited with revolutionizing the game with his unmatched athleticism and competitive drive.
Jordan retired for the second time in January 1999, but his legacy in basketball continued to grow. In 2006, he became the minority owner and general manager of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats (now Charlotte Hornets), and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
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Jordan's career accolades
Michael Jordan is a former collegiate and professional basketball player. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Jordan played basketball from his freshman year at the University of North Carolina in 1981 until his final retirement in 2003.
Jordan's unmatched athleticism and competitive drive revolutionized the sport. He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998). He was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) five times (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998). Jordan also led the NBA in scoring in 10 seasons, tying Wilt Chamberlain's record of seven consecutive scoring titles. In addition, he holds the NBA records for career regular-season scoring average (30.1 points per game) and career playoff scoring average (33.4 points per game).
Jordan's individual accolades include six NBA Finals MVP awards, ten NBA scoring titles, five NBA MVP awards, 10 All-NBA First Team designations, nine All-Defensive First Team honors, 14 NBA All-Star Game selections, three NBA All-Star Game MVP awards, three NBA steals titles, and the 1988 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. He is one of only eight players to achieve the basketball Triple Crown.
Jordan was also a highly successful college basketball player. He was named ACC Freshman of the Year and made the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship game. Jordan was named College Player of the Year in both his sophomore and junior years. He led the US basketball team to Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1992. In 1999, Jordan was named the 20th century's greatest North American athlete by ESPN and was second on the Associated Press' list of athletes of the century. Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 for his individual career and again in 2010 as part of the 1992 US men's Olympic basketball team ("The Dream Team").
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His career statistics
Michael Jordan's career in the NBA spanned 15 seasons, from 1984 to 2003. During this time, he played for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards.
Jordan's talent was evident from his very first NBA season. By November of that rookie year, he was being compared to the likes of Julius Erving. In his first game at Madison Square Garden, Jordan received a minute-long standing ovation from the New York Knicks crowd.
Jordan's career statistics are impressive. He led the NBA in scoring in 10 seasons, a record. He also tied Wilt Chamberlain's record of seven consecutive scoring titles. Jordan was a fixture of the NBA All-Defensive First Team, making the roster nine times, which is an NBA record shared with Gary Payton, Kevin Garnett, and Kobe Bryant. He holds the top career regular-season scoring average of 30.1 points per game and a career playoff scoring average of 33.4 points per game.
Jordan ended his career with 32,292 total points and 2,514 steals. He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, five MVP awards, and was selected to play in 14 All-Star games. He also won gold medals as part of the United States national team in 1983, 1984, 1992, and 1992.
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Return to the NBA
Michael Jordan is a former collegiate and professional basketball player widely considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards.
Jordan's first retirement came in 1993, when he abruptly stepped away from basketball before the 1993-94 NBA season, citing physical and mental exhaustion from the game and superstardom. He then pursued a career in professional baseball, playing Minor League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox organization.
Jordan returned to the NBA in March 1995, rejoining the Chicago Bulls and leading them to three more championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998. During the 1995-96 season, Jordan led the Bulls to a then-record 72 regular-season wins. This era of Jordan's career is often referred to as the "second three-peat," following his first three consecutive championships from 1991 to 1993.
Jordan retired for the second time in January 1999 but returned once again for two more NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of the Washington Wizards. This marked Jordan's final chapter as a player in the NBA, ending a career that amassed numerous accolades and championships.
Following his playing career, Jordan continued his involvement in the NBA as an owner. In 2006, he became a minority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats (now Charlotte Hornets) and then bought a controlling interest in the team in 2010, becoming the first former NBA player to become a majority owner of an NBA franchise. Jordan sold his share in the team in 2023.
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Post-retirement career
Michael Jordan's professional basketball career spanned 15 years, from 1984 to 2003. During this time, he played for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards, winning six NBA championships and a plethora of other awards.
Following his retirement from basketball in 2003, Jordan pursued various ventures and endeavours. Here is a detailed look at his post-retirement career:
Sports Team Ownership and Management: Jordan developed an interest in sports team ownership and management. In 2006, he became the minority owner and general manager of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats (now known as the Charlotte Hornets). In 2010, he purchased a controlling interest in the team, becoming the first former NBA player to be a majority owner of an NBA franchise. Jordan's involvement with the Hornets ended in 2023 when he sold his share in the team.
Business Ventures: Jordan has successfully established himself as a businessman, with a net worth of an estimated $3.5 billion as of 2025. He has a diverse range of business interests, including an automotive group that bears his name and dealerships across the United States. Jordan has also ventured into the restaurant industry, previously owning a steakhouse in New York City's Grand Central Terminal, among other establishments.
Brand Endorsements: Jordan has been one of the most marketed sports figures in history, with a long list of brand endorsements. He has been a major spokesperson for renowned brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, Gatorade, McDonald's, Ball Park Franks, Rayovac, Wheaties, Hanes, and MCI. Jordan's long-standing relationship with Gatorade is particularly notable, appearing in over 20 commercials since 1991.
Author: Jordan has authored several books, often in collaboration with others, focusing on his life, basketball career, and worldview. Some of his notable works include "Rare Air: Michael on Michael" (1993), "I Can't Accept Not Trying: Michael Jordan on the Pursuit of Excellence" (1994), "For the Love of the Game: My Story" (1998), and "Driven from Within" (2005).
Acting: Jordan made his acting debut in the 1996 film "Space Jam," a successful blend of live-action and animation, starring alongside Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. The film added another dimension to Jordan's public image and showcased his ability to attract audiences beyond the basketball court.
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Frequently asked questions
Michael Jordan's basketball career spanned around two decades, from 1981 when he joined the University of North Carolina basketball team, to 2003 when he retired from playing professionally with the Washington Wizards.
Michael Jordan's first retirement lasted around one and a half years, from October 1993 to March 1995.
Michael Jordan's second retirement lasted around two years, from 1999 to 2001.
Michael Jordan played with the Chicago Bulls from 1984 to 1998, a period of 14 years.
