Michael Jordan

With his unique combination of power, speed, and grace, Michael Jordan became an NBA superstar and one of the world’s most widely respected athletes.

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, to James and Delores Jordan. He grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, as the third of five children.

Michael attended Wilmington’s Laney High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. The school has since renamed the gymnasium in his honor.

After graduation, Michael attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a basketball scholarship. He majored in geography, but left school in 1984 to enter the NBA draft. However, he returned in 1986 to finish his studies while recuperating from a foot injury.

Michael Jordan married Juanita Vanoy Jordan in 1989. She filed for divorced in 2002, but withdrew the papers just one month later. Michael and Juanita have three children: Jeffrey Michael, Marcus James, and Jasmine Mickael.

Arguably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan has had an amazing career:

• He played in 1,072 games over the course of his career, for a total of 41,011 minutes.
• Michael holds the NBA record for most consecutive games (842) scoring in double-digits.
• Along with Wilt Chamberlain, Michael has the NBA record for most consecutive seasons leading the league in scoring.
• When Michael retired with 32,292 points, he was third on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

For more information on Michael Jordan’s career stats, check out his profile on NBA.com.

Although Michael Jordan is best known for his athletic accomplishments, he’s a savvy businessman as well:

• Michael is one of the most marketable athletes in history. He has been a celebrity spokesman for companies like Hanes, McDonalds, Nike, Gatorade, and MCI.
• Michael has dabbled in acting, making several appearances as himself in various movies and television shows. His most notable appearance was in the 1996 movie Space Jam.
• During the 1997-98 seasons Michael Jordan had his own line of athletic apparel.
• Today, Michael’s net worth is estimated at $400 million.

Michael Jordan has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career:

• Michael was named NBA Rookie of the Year during the 1984-85 season.
• He received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award during the 1987-88, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, and 1997-98 seasons.
• He won Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1992.
• In 1999, ESPN named him the greatest athlete of the twentieth century.
• In 1997, People named him one of the most intriguing people of the century.

Since Michael’s been the subject of countless news reports, interviews, and magazine articles, sports fans of all ages have plenty of opportunities to brush up on Michael Jordan trivia.

• Michael Jordan is 6' 6", but both of his parents are under 5' 9".
• Michael chose #23 as his jersey number because his older brother Larry wore #45 as a high school athlete. According to Michael, #23 is half of 45 (rounded up) because he aspired to be at least half the player his brother was.
• Michael Jordan has a tattoo of the Greek letter Omega over his heart. This is to represent his association with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
• Michael always chewed gum during basketball games because he once read a report that said it would help him concentrate.
• Michael tried to retire twice before leaving the court for good after the 2002-03 season. His first retirement in 1993 was said to be attributed to stress caused by his father’s murder.

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