Michael Jeffrey Jordan born February 17, , also known by his initials MJ , [ 9 ] is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. He was integral in popularizing basketball and the NBA around the world in the s and s, [ 10 ] becoming a global cultural icon. Jordan played college basketball with the North Carolina Tar Heels. As a freshman, he was a member of the Tar Heels' national championship team in Citing physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom, Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the —94 NBA season to play Minor League Baseball in the Chicago White Sox organization.
He returned to the Bulls in March and led them to three more championships in , , and , as well as a then-record 72 regular season wins in the —96 NBA season. One of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation, Jordan made many product endorsements.
He became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets then named the Bobcats in and bought a controlling interest in , before selling his majority stake in In , he became the first billionaire player in NBA history.
Jordan Sr. In , the family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina. Laney High School , where he played basketball, baseball, and football. He tried out for the basketball varsity team during his sophomore year, but at a height of 5 feet 11 inches 1. Jordan was recruited by numerous college basketball programs, including Duke , North Carolina , South Carolina , Syracuse , and Virginia. Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree in , [ 52 ] when he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography.
(mh=YVzGiE-7WZt1oYFO)4.jpg "Adult Guide in Baltimore")
One of the primary reasons why Jordan was not drafted sooner was because the first two teams were in need of a center. An often-cited moment was on August 26, , [ 38 ] [ 67 ] when Jordan shook the arena during a Nike exhibition game in Trieste , Italy, by shattering the glass of the backboard with a dunk.
