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The greatest basketball player to ever play was born
He was born in Brooklyn, NY and was the son of James R. Jordan, Sr. and Delores Jordan. He was the fourth of five children. -
He earned a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina majoring in cultural geography
After attending Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina he received a full ride for basketball. -
He entered the 1984 NBA draft and was the third overall pick of the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan left the University of North Carolina one year before his scheduled graduation to enter the draft, but he returned to complete his degree in 1986. -
Won a gold medal in the summer olympics.
Playing on the presitigous U.S. national basketball team, Jordan led his starpowered team to an undefeated season and a gold medal. -
Won NBA Rookie of the Year
Selected as the rookie of the year along with many of the greats in basketball history such as Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. -
The Air Jordan I pair of sneakers were released
A breakthrough in basketball shoe design was introduced by Nike and released to the public, quickly becoming the most popular shoe in history and remains the most succesful shoeline ever created. -
Won NBA Defensive Player of the Year
He only won this accolade once but he did win NBA first team defensive player a stunning 9 times. This is more than anyone else has gotten to date. -
NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
Averaged 33.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists to lead the Bulls to a 4-2 victory over the Utah Jazz for his sixth NBA Finals MVP. He made a buzzer beater shot while his team was down by one point that is considered to be the greatest shot in history. -
Won ESPY athlete of the century award
The most prestigious award given to a proffesional athlete, Jordan won this award and was procalimed the most stand out athelete of the 20th century. -
Jordan retires for his last time
Jordan went into retirement in 1993 but it didn't last long as he came back. In 2003 he actually retired though playing his last game on this date in a 107-87 loss to the 76ers. -
Inducted into the Hall of Fame
In the class of 2009, Jordan was inducted into the hall of fame with Jerry Sloan, John Stockton, C. Vivian Stringer and David Robinson during festivities in Springfield, MA.
