Michael Jordan
- Born:
- February 17, 1963, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Professional Basketball Player, Businessman
Early Life and Education
- Grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina.
- Attended Emsley A. Laney High School.
- Initially cut from the varsity basketball team in his sophomore year.
- Received a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Majored in Cultural Geography.
Career and Major Achievements
- Drafted third overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA draft.
- Led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998).
- Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998).
- Six-time NBA Finals MVP (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998).
- Ten-time NBA scoring champion (1987-1993, 1996-1998).
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988).
- Two-time Olympic gold medalist (1984, 1992).
- Briefly retired from basketball to play professional baseball in 1993.
- Played for the Washington Wizards from 2001-2003 after a second retirement.
Notable Works
| Title | Type | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space Jam | Film | 1996 | Starred as himself. |
| Michael Jordan's Playground | Video Game | 1990 | Basketball video game featuring Michael Jordan. |
| For the Love of the Game: My Story | Autobiography | 1998 | Autobiography chronicling his basketball career. |
Legacy and Impact
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His athletic achievements, competitive spirit, and global appeal have made him a cultural icon and a major influence on the sport of basketball. The enduring popularity of the Air Jordan line of sneakers further cements his legacy as a marketing and cultural phenomenon. Any analysis of sports figures requires an understanding of their context. For example, the merritt patterson biography of michael provides context to understand that Jordan's success came at a time when the NBA was experiencing a surge in global popularity.