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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 career with the Chicago Bulls spanned from 1984 to 1998, during which he led the team to six NBA championships and earned the league's MVP Award five times. Jordan's unmatched athleticism and competitive drive revolutionized the sport, and his extraordinary leaping ability earned him the nickname Air Jordan. But how old was Jordan when he started playing basketball?
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What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1963
Michael Jordan, the iconic basketball superstar, was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on February 17, 1963, at Cumberland Hospital. Jordan is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game, known for his unmatched athleticism and competitive drive. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan was born to bank employee Deloris (née Peoples) and equipment supervisor James R. Jordan Sr. He was the fourth of five children, with two older brothers, James Jr. and Larry, an older sister, Deloris, and a younger sister, Roslyn. The Jordan family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1968, where Michael grew up. Jordan attended Emsley A. Laney High School, where he played basketball, baseball, and football.
Jordan tried out for the basketball varsity team in his sophomore year but, at a height of 5 feet 11 inches, was deemed too short. However, he soon grew four inches and trained hard, eventually earning a spot on the varsity roster. He averaged more than 25 points per game over his final two seasons of high school play. After high school, Jordan entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981. As a freshman, he made the winning basket against Georgetown in the 1982 national championship game.
Jordan joined the NBA in 1984, drafted by the Chicago Bulls, and quickly became a league star. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning six championships with the Bulls. Jordan's unmatched athleticism and competitive drive revolutionized the sport of basketball, and he became a global cultural icon.
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Jordan's father, James, introduced him to baseball
Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, and entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981. Jordan's father, James R. Jordan Sr., was an equipment supervisor and a former semi-pro baseball player. James introduced his son to baseball, which was the first sport Jordan ever played. In his autobiography, Jordan wrote that his father had envisioned him becoming a baseball star, and this influenced his decision to pursue baseball after his first retirement from the NBA. Jordan's father was also responsible for Jordan's famous tongue-sticking-out habit, which he adopted as his own signature move. Jordan and his father were very close, and James's murder in 1993 was a significant factor in Jordan's decision to retire from basketball at that time.
Jordan's father, James, was an equipment supervisor and a former semi-pro baseball player. It was only natural that he would introduce his son to the sport, and baseball was, in fact, the first sport that Jordan ever played. In his autobiography and in interviews, Jordan has recounted that it was his father's vision for him to become a baseball star. This desire for his son to succeed in baseball was so strong that it became a major factor in Jordan's decision to try out the sport after his first retirement from the NBA.
Jordan signed a Minor League Baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox on February 7, 1994. He reported for spring training in Sarasota, Florida, and was assigned to the team's minor league system on March 31. This decision surprised many in the sports world, as Jordan had just come off a hugely successful career in the NBA, leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and winning two Olympic gold medals as part of the US basketball team. However, Jordan's pursuit of a baseball career was a way for him to honour his late father's dream and stay connected to him after his tragic death.
Jordan's father, James, played a significant role in his early introduction to baseball and his development as an athlete. Jordan's natural athleticism and competitive drive, instilled in him by his father, would have undoubtedly contributed to his ability to excel in multiple sports. While Jordan may not have achieved the same level of superstardom in baseball as he did in basketball, his pursuit of a baseball career after his initial retirement from the NBA is a testament to the influence and importance of his father in his life.
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Jordan idolised his older brother, Larry, and they often played one-on-one
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 was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. He entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981 and made a winning basket against Georgetown in the 1982 national championship game as a freshman. Jordan was named College Player of the Year in both his sophomore and junior years.
Michael Jordan went on to become a highly successful basketball player, leading the Chicago Bulls to six National Basketball Association (NBA) championships from 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998. He was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player five times and won two Olympic gold medals as part of the US basketball team in 1984 and 1992. Jordan's unmatched athleticism and competitive drive, and extraordinary leaping ability revolutionised the sport of basketball. He stood at 6 feet 6 inches tall during his playing career, earning the nickname "Air Jordan" from his acrobatic maneuvers on the court.
In addition to his athletic achievements, Jordan has had a significant impact on popular culture, starring in the live-action/animation hybrid film "Space Jam" in 1996. He was also the central focus of the Emmy-winning documentary series "The Last Dance" in 2020. Jordan has been involved in basketball operations and ownership, becoming part-owner and head of operations for the Charlotte Hornets (formerly the Bobcats) in 2006 and buying a controlling interest in 2010 before selling his majority stake in 2023. He is also a co-owner of 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 2016, Jordan became the first billionaire player in NBA history and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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Jordan attended Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina
Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game, attended Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on February 17, 1963, and grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Jordan's high school was named after Emsley Armfield Laney, a prominent business and community leader in Wilmington. It is a four-year public high school and part of New Hanover County Schools. Jordan attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after graduating from high school in 1981.
Jordan's talent for basketball was evident early on. He made the winning basket in the 1982 national championship game as a freshman and was named College Player of the Year in his sophomore and junior years. He left college after his junior year and was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall, Jordan quickly became known for his exceptional shooting, passing, and defensive skills.
Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six National Basketball Association championships (1991-1993, 1996-1998) and was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player five times (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998). He also won two Olympic gold medals as a member of the US basketball team in 1984 and 1992.
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He was cut from the varsity basketball team as a sophomore
Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball players in history. He was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. Jordan played basketball from a young age, idolising his older brother Larry, and the two would often play one-on-one into the night. Jordan attended Laney High School in Wilmington, where he excelled in basketball, football, and baseball.
Despite his talent, Jordan faced an early setback when he was cut from the varsity basketball team as a sophomore. At the time, Jordan was only 5 feet 11 inches tall and relatively skinny. However, this setback only fuelled his determination to improve and make the team. Jordan's hard work and dedication to the sport paid off when, during the summer before his junior year, he experienced a growth spurt, reaching a height of 6 feet 3 inches.
Jordan's perseverance and unwavering commitment to basketball ultimately led to his success in the sport. He went on to become a star player on the junior varsity team, honing his skills through consistent practice and training. Jordan's exceptional performance earned him a spot on the varsity team during his junior year, marking the beginning of his journey towards basketball superstardom.
Jordan's talent and unwavering dedication to the sport paved the way for a remarkable career. He attended the University of North Carolina, where he became an important member of the university's basketball team and was named College Player of the Year in his sophomore and junior years. Jordan's outstanding performance at the collegiate level served as a stepping stone to his professional career, where he would go on to dominate the sport with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear exactly how old Michael Jordan was when he started playing basketball. However, it is known that he played basketball in high school and was assigned to the school's junior varsity basketball team as a sophomore.
Yes, Jordan enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981 and soon became an important member of the university's basketball team.
Yes, Michael Jordan played basketball professionally for the Chicago Bulls. He was drafted by the team in 1984 and played for them until 1998, winning six NBA championships.
