Saoirse Downs
Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player in history, has long been rumoured to have been cut from his high school basketball team. The story goes that Jordan, then a sophomore, tried out for the varsity basketball team but was rejected for being too short and unskilled. Devastated, Jordan channelled his frustration into the junior varsity team, where he became a star player. However, some have disputed this story as a myth, claiming that Jordan was never truly cut and that his placement on the junior varsity team was influenced by several practical factors. Regardless, Jordan's response to the setback has become a powerful lesson in perseverance and motivation, fuelling his journey to becoming a global sports icon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1978 or 1979 |
| School | Laney High School, Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Team | Varsity basketball team |
| Coach | Clifton "Pop" Herring |
| Reason | Considered too short and not skilled enough at the time |
| Height | 5'10" or 5'11" |
| Age | 15 |
| Grade | Sophomore |
| Emotional impact | Devastated, felt like the coach didn't like him |
| Subsequent influence | Used rejection as fuel, worked incredibly hard to improve his game |
| Outcome | Became a star on the junior varsity team, growth spurt, made the varsity team the next year |
| Myth or reality | Disputed, some call it a myth, others claim it's legit |
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What You'll Learn
- Michael Jordan was not cut from basketball, but placed on the junior varsity team
- Jordan was considered too short and not skilled enough for the varsity team
- Jordan's mother encouraged him to work hard over the summer
- Jordan's perseverance and relentless practice paid off, and he eventually made the varsity team
- Jordan's growth in height and skills during his junior year made him a star
Michael Jordan was not cut from basketball, but placed on the junior varsity team
While it is true that Michael Jordan was not selected for the varsity basketball team at Laney High School in 1978, he was not cut from basketball entirely. Instead, he was placed on the junior varsity (JV) team. This distinction is important because it shows that Jordan still had a place in the school's basketball program, even if it wasn't the team he desired.
Jordan's height was a significant factor in the decision. At around 5'10" to 5'11"", he lacked the height and physical maturity that varsity competition demanded. Coach Clifton "Pop" Herring, who made the decision, also had a roster with a lot of seniors, none of whom were taller than 6'3". As a result, he needed the 6'7" Leroy Smith for height, instead of Jordan. Additionally, Jordan would have had more playing time as a starter on the JV team, rather than being a benchwarmer for the varsity team.
Being placed on the JV team was a blow to Jordan's confidence, and he was initially devastated by the rejection. However, he channelled his frustration into dominance on the court, scoring over 40 points in many games and becoming a JV superstar. The perceived slight had ignited a competitive fire in him, and he worked incredibly hard to improve his game. By his junior year, Jordan had not only made the varsity team but had become its star player. His growth, both physical and in basketball skills, was remarkable, and he continued to excel through his senior year.
Jordan himself has often claimed that he was "cut" from the varsity team, and this narrative has persisted and even been used as an inspirational story for athletes facing adversity. However, it is important to clarify that he was not cut from basketball completely and that his experience is more complex than simply being "cut". The true value of Jordan's high school story is that he transformed rejection into a lifelong source of motivation that drove him to become a legend.
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Jordan was considered too short and not skilled enough for the varsity team
In 1978, as a sophomore at Laney High School, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team but was not selected. Jordan was approximately 5'10" to 5'11" tall at the time, and his height and physical maturity were considered insufficient for the varsity team.
Jordan was placed on the junior varsity (JV) team instead. This decision was not arbitrary, but influenced by several practical factors. Firstly, the varsity team already had a lot of seniors on the roster. Secondly, Jordan's height was significantly shorter than the other players, with none taller than 6-foot-3. The team needed taller players, such as Jordan's 6-foot-7 friend Leroy Smith, to address their height disadvantage. Finally, it was believed that Jordan would benefit from more playing time as a starter on the JV team, rather than being a benchwarmer for the varsity team.
While Jordan experienced the emotional pain of rejection, he channelled his frustration into improving his game. He worked incredibly hard, practising relentlessly, and his dedication paid off. By his junior year, Jordan had grown several inches taller and had refined his skills, showcasing the athleticism and scoring ability that would later make him famous. He made the varsity team and became its undisputed star.
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Jordan's mother encouraged him to work hard over the summer
The story of Michael Jordan being cut from his high school basketball team is a popular one, often used as an inspirational tale of perseverance. However, the reality is more complex. Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at Laney High School in 1978 as a sophomore but was not selected due to his height and physical maturity at the time. Instead, he was placed on the junior varsity (JV) team, which was a common occurrence for sophomores.
Jordan was devastated by the rejection and felt that the coach didn't like him. It was at this low point that Jordan's mother, Deloris Jordan, stepped in with words of wisdom and encouragement. She told her son, "If you really want it, you work hard over the summer."
Jordan took his mother's advice to heart and dedicated himself to a rigorous practice regimen during the summer. He focused intently on improving his game, and his basketball never left his hand. This work ethic and determination ignited a competitive fire in Jordan that would define his entire career.
The summer of hard work paid off, and Jordan became a star on the JV team, scoring over 40 points in many games. By his junior year, he had experienced a growth spurt, and with his relentless practice, he made the varsity team and became its undisputed star. Jordan's physical and athletic improvements were remarkable, and he continued to excel through his senior year, earning a scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jordan's mother's encouragement to work hard that summer was a pivotal moment in his development as a basketball player and a person. It transformed his initial disappointment into a lifelong source of motivation that drove him to become a legend in the sport.
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Jordan's perseverance and relentless practice paid off, and he eventually made the varsity team
Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player in history, was cut from the varsity team in high school. However, this moment of rejection was not the end of his basketball journey. Jordan's perseverance and relentless practice paid off, and he eventually made the varsity team, setting the foundation for one of the greatest careers in sports.
Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at Laney High School as a sophomore in 1978 or 1979. At the time, he was approximately 5'10" to 5'11" tall, and while he was a talented player, his height and physical maturity were seen as limitations for the varsity team. As a result, he was placed on the junior varsity (JV) team instead.
This rejection could have been a significant blow to Jordan's confidence, but he chose to use it as fuel. He worked incredibly hard, practicing relentlessly and refining his game. Jordan's determination and work ethic transformed his initial disappointment into a lifelong source of motivation. He channelled his frustration into dominance on the court, becoming a star on the JV team and scoring over 40 points in many games.
During the summer, Jordan experienced a growth spurt, adding several inches to his height. By his junior year, he had not only made the varsity team but had become its undisputed star. His physical growth, combined with his refined skills, athleticism, and scoring ability, propelled him to success on the varsity team. Jordan's perseverance and relentless practice had paid off, and he was now shining at the level he had initially desired.
Jordan's journey from JV player to global icon exemplifies how initial setbacks can become catalysts for extraordinary achievements. His response to rejection, choosing perseverance over surrender, offers a powerful lesson beyond the basketball court. Jordan's experience highlights the value of transforming setbacks into motivation, a mindset that drove him to become a legend in the sport.
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Jordan's growth in height and skills during his junior year made him a star
Michael Jordan's growth in height and skills during his junior year at Laney High School made him a basketball star. Jordan's height and physical maturity had been factors in his not being selected for the varsity team as a sophomore. Standing at approximately 5'11", he was considered too short. However, during the summer before his junior year, Jordan experienced a growth spurt, gaining several inches in height and reaching 6'3". This physical development, combined with his relentless practice and refinement of his game, transformed him into an undisputed star on the varsity team.
Jordan's determination and perseverance in the face of initial rejection fueled his remarkable growth as a basketball player. After not making the varsity team as a sophomore, Jordan channeled his frustration into dominating on the junior varsity (JV) team. He practiced relentlessly, showcasing a strong work ethic by training in the school gym before class in the mornings. This dedication paid off, as he reportedly scored over 40 points in many JV games.
Jordan's physical growth and improved skills during his junior year were remarkable. He had developed several inches taller, and his athleticism and scoring ability began to shine. Jordan's performance on the court during his junior year caught the attention of those around him, and he became a star on the varsity team. His hard work and natural talent were now on full display, and he was well on his way to becoming a basketball legend.
Jordan's growth during his junior year set the foundation for his future success. He continued to excel during his senior year, becoming a McDonald's All-American and earning a scholarship to play college basketball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His stellar performance in college led to him being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA draft, marking the beginning of his illustrious professional career. Jordan's journey from a rejected sophomore to a junior year star demonstrates the power of perseverance and the transformative impact of hard work and natural talent.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes and no. While Jordan did not make the varsity team as a sophomore, he was placed on the junior varsity (JV) team.
Jordan was considered too short and not skilled enough to play on the varsity team. He was approximately 5'10" to 5'11" tall and lacked the physical maturity that varsity competition demanded.
Jordan was devastated and felt like the coach didn't like him. However, he used this rejection as fuel and worked incredibly hard to improve his game. He became a star on the JV team and made the varsity team the following year.
