15 Interesting Michael Jordan Facts You Should Know

Interesting Michael Jordan Facts You Should Know
Some of the inspiring Micheal Jordan facts reminds us of the benefits of hard work and commitment. (Image: HESPRESS)

The retirement of ace basketball star from basketball which he had played for fifteen seasons, marked the end of an era in the game of basketball. Widely considered as the best player the NBA has ever had, Michael Jordan’s journey to the peak of success is truly an inspiring one. SportyTell takes a look at some of the amazing Micheal Jordan facts to remind us of the benefits of hard work and commitment.

Retirement wasn’t enough to stop Mike, as he is often called, from being an inspiring icon. His influence on the courts transcends into his activities off the court, ever since his time off the courts, MJ’s influence has increased exponentially. Michael Jordan still remains one of the faces of basketball that has helped garner more attention to the game in the modern age. In this article, we bring you some of the interesting Michael Jordan facts.

Here are the interesting Michael Jordan facts you should know

1. Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 17, 1963, to James R. Jordan Sr. who worked as an equipment supervisor and Deloris who worked in the banking industry. When Michael was a toddler his family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina.

2. As a child, Michael Jordan idolized Magic Johnson

When Michael Jordan was a child he idolized Magic Johnson. Jordan even nicknamed himself Magic Jordan. His first car, which was a 1976 Grand Prix, had the nickname Magic Jodan as its license plate.

3. Michael Jordan has a phobia for water

While he was a child, Michael Jordan witnessed his friend sucked by an ocean undertow and drowned. Michael himself almost drowned at a baseball camp. These events led him to have a phobia for water. Jordan is uncomfortable around oceans, seas and other huge bodies of water.

4. Michael Jordan attended Emsley A. Laney High School

While at Emsley A. Laney High School, in Wilmington, North Carolina, Michael Jordan played football, basketball and baseball. He was successful at basketball featuring in the McDonald All-American Game in 1981.

5. He attended the University of North Carolina

After High school, Michael Jordan decided to attend the University of North Carolina. Jordan was involved in numerous basketball programs for several university basketball teams such as the South Carolina Gamecocks, Virginia Cavaliers, Syracuse Orange, Duke Blue Devils and the North Carolina Tar Heels. He eventually decided to attend the University of North Carolina where he studied cultural geography. His addition to the team was instrumental to the team’s success at the 1982 NCAA Division I championship which they had not won in 25 years.

6. He was placed in his high school junior basketball team

Michael Jordan who stood at a height of 5 feet 11 inches was placed on Emsley A. Laney High School junior basketball team because he was considered short. The team was in a dire need of tall players. But Michael Jordan showed his worth as he went on to become the star of the junior team.

7. Michael Jordan was advised by his father to become a mechanic

Before his senior year, Jordan’s father advised him to become a mechanic because those who had handwork always had good work. Michael Jordan then went on to have a spectacular season in his senior year, having been selected to the McDonald’s All-American Team which brought a bright prospect for him in basketball.

8. Michael Jordan debuted in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls

After being picked as the Chicago Bulls third overall pick, Michael Jordan signed a rookie contract worth $6.15 million. His debut season in the NBA was a really great start for Jordan as led the Chicago Bulls to the playoffs.

9. Sports Illustrated featured Michael Jordan in his debut season

In December of his debut season in the NBA, Sports Illustrated featured MJ on its cover with the headline “A Star Is Born”. The attention he was receiving didn’t go down well with some NBA players who decided not to pass the ball to him during the All-Star game. The effect of the event of the All-Star game has little effect on MJ as he went on to win the Rookie of the Year award in his debut season.

10. Michael Jordan made his jersey number 23 iconic

Michael Jordan’s remarkable performance made his jersey number, 23 so iconic that other sports stars choose the jersey number because of him. LeBron James said he wears the number 23 for “the great Michael Jordan” whom James viewed as his basketball hero when he was a kid.

11. Michael Jordan briefly pursued a career in baseball

During the 1994-95 season, at the age of 31, Michael Jordan became a rookie for Chicago White Sox minor league club, the Birmingham Barons. MJ then went back to play basketball for the Bulls till 1998.

12. Michael Jordan retired twice from basketball

Michael Jordan retired from basketball in 1998, then went in to become the co-owner of basketball franchise the Washington Wizard and as well as the franchise president of basketball operation. He then returned to the basketball in 2001 before retiring in 2003.

13. Michael Jordan earns $60 million royalties annually from Nike

The Nike Jordan brand which was first brought to the market in 1985 generates about $1 billion in sales yearly. Michael Jordan is thus paid $60 million in royalty for the Nike and Jordan brand.

 14. His deal with Nike almost did not happen

Michael Jordan’s deal with Nike almost did not go true because Michael Jordan loved Adidas. Adidas offered MJ a deal to endorse a brand named the Spot-Bilt. Nike then went on to offer MJ $500,000 yearly for five years. Jordan still wanted to go with the Adidas but Adidas offer couldn’t match those of Nike. He then stuck to the Nike deal which became and is still a commercial success.

15. Michael Jordan is worth $2.1 billion

Michael Jordan increased his net worth after retirement to become the first player to become a billionaire in the NBA. He is also the third richest African-American. According to Forbes, Jordan has a net worth of $2.1 billion as of 2020.


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