Timeline: Michael Jordan

Feb 17, 1963

Michael Jeffrey Jordan is Born

Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Deloris, who worked in banking, and James R. Jordan, Sr., an equipment supervisor. His family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, when he was a toddler. Jordan attended Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington, where he anchored his athletic career by playing baseball, football, and basketball. He tried out for the varsity basketball team during his sophomore year, but at 5'11", he was deemed too short to play at that level.

1981

Michael Jordan Receives Basketball Scholarship

In 1981, Jordan earned a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in cultural geography. He was named ACC Freshman of the Year, the Naismith and the Wooden College Player of the Year awards in 1984. Jordan's most memorable time at UNC was his game winner in the NCAA championship against Georgetown; which he said changed his career. Jordan left North Carolina one year before his scheduled graduation to enter the 1984 NBA Draft.

1984

Michael Enters NBA Draft

The Chicago Bulls selected Jordan with the third overall pick, after Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets) and Sam Bowie (Portland Trail Blazers). Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree in 1986.

Apr 22, 1985

Wins Rookie of the Year

Jordan had a great first season, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1984-85 after averaging 28.2 points per game. An injured foot sidelined him for 64 games in his second campaign, but he came back late in the year to score an NBA playoff-record 63 points in a first-round game against the Boston Celtics.

1988

Jordan Wins MVP and Defensive Player of the Year

Jordan led the league in scoring again in the 1987–88 season, averaging 35.0 ppg on 53.5% shooting and won his first league MVP award. He was also named the Defensive Player of the Year, as he had averaged 1.6 blocks and a league high 3.16 steals per game.

Jun 10, 1991

Jordan Wins First NBA Championship

Michael Jordan unanimously won his first NBA Finals MVP award (to go with his regular season MVP award and his fifth straight scoring title), and wept while holding his first NBA Finals trophy.

Jul 23, 1993

James Raymond Jordan, Sr. was Murdered

Jordan pulled into a rest stop on Interstate 95 to take a nap. Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery shot Jordan while he slept in his car and then stole it. His body was found on August 3 in a Bennettsville, South Carolina swamp. They had taken other items from the car including two NBA championship rings given to him by his son. Demery was wearing a Michael Jordan T-shirt at the time of his arrest. Both were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for this and other violent crimes.

Oct 6, 1993

Jordan Announces His Retirement

Jordan later stated that the murder of his father earlier in the year shaped his decision. James R. Jordan, Sr. Jordan said he has been planning his retirement sense the 1992 Olympics.

Mar 31, 1994

Jordan Finds a new Career

The sport of baseball was Michael's first love. After his father's death he decided to sign a free agent contract with the Chicago White Sox. His dad always wanted him to play two sports, said he was talented enough