The Birth of a Legend
On February 17, 1963, Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York. His family soon moved to Wilmington, North Carolina — and it was there that the path to the summit truly began.
"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
In high school, he was cut from the varsity basketball team. That humiliation became his fuel. Michael practiced alone for hours until he became the best player on the court — and then in the world.
University of North Carolina
In 1981, Jordan enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill under the legendary coach Dean Smith. In his very first year as a college player, he announced himself to the entire world.
In 1982, as a freshman, he hit the game-winning shot in the NCAA Championship against Georgetown — the first of hundreds of clutch shots in his career.
In 1984, Jordan was selected 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls. That same year he won Olympic gold in Los Angeles, cementing his arrival on the world stage.
Two Eras of Dominance
With coach Phil Jackson and Scottie Pippen by his side, Jordan elevated the Chicago Bulls to the very summit of basketball. Two three-peats — 1991–1993 and 1996–1998 — cemented him as the greatest player of all time.
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships."
After the tragic murder of his father, Michael retired in 1993 to pursue baseball — and returned in 1995 with a legendary two-word press release: "I'm back."