Michael Jordan

The greatest basketball player of all time, known for his prolific scoring, defensive prowess, and six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.

Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman, former professional basketball player, and former baseball player. He played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) between 1984 and 2003, winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan is regarded as one of the most influential sports figures in history and is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time.

Quick Facts

League: NBA
Born: 17 February 1963
Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.
High school: Emsley A. Laney (Wilmington, North Carolina)
College: North Carolina (1981–1984)
Draft year: 1984
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 3

Lore & Background

Jordan played college basketball with the North Carolina Tar Heels, winning a national championship in 1982. He was selected by the Bulls with the third overall pick of the 1984 NBA draft. With the Bulls, he won six NBA titles, including two three-peats (1991–1993 and 1996–1998). He retired twice from the Bulls, first in 1993 to play Minor League Baseball, then in 1999. He returned for two NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of the Washington Wizards.

Reader's Guide

Jordan's individual accolades include six NBA Finals MVP awards, 10 scoring titles, five NBA MVP awards, an NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, 10 All-NBA First Team selections, nine All-Defensive First Team honors, 14 All-Star selections, and three All-Star Game MVP awards. He holds NBA records for career regular season scoring average (30.1 ppg) and playoff scoring average (33.4 ppg). He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame twice: in 2009 for his individual career and in 2010 as part of the 1992 U.S. Olympic team.

Did You Know?

Jordan was named the 20th century's greatest North American athlete by ESPN in 1999.
He starred in the film Space Jam (1996) and was the focus of the documentary series The Last Dance (2020).
Jordan became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets in 2006 and bought a controlling interest in 2010, selling his majority stake in 2023.
He is a co-owner of 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
President Barack Obama awarded Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.