Michael Jordan (disambiguation) facts for kids

Michael Jordan (born 1963) is a famous American businessman and a former professional basketball player. Many people consider him the greatest basketball player of all time! He played for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards during his amazing career. Jordan was known for his incredible scoring, leaping ability, and clutch plays, especially in the playoffs.

Who is Michael Jordan?

Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. Even though he was a great athlete, he was actually cut from his high school basketball team in his sophomore year! This motivated him to work even harder. He eventually became a star player at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he won a national championship in 1982.

Starting His NBA Journey

After college, Michael Jordan was picked by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA draft. He quickly became a superstar, amazing fans with his incredible dunks and scoring skills. He earned the nickname "Air Jordan" because it looked like he could fly! His exciting style of play helped make the NBA popular around the world.

Winning Championships with the Bulls

Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Finals championships in the 1990s. They won three titles in a row from 1991 to 1993, and then another three from 1996 to 1998. This amazing achievement is called a "three-peat." He was named the Finals MVP in all six of those championship wins.

Jordan's First Retirement

After winning his first three championships, Michael Jordan surprised everyone by retiring from basketball in 1993. He decided to try playing professional baseball for a short time, honoring his late father's dream. He played for the Birmingham Barons, a minor league team.

Return to Basketball

Jordan returned to the NBA in 1995, rejoining the Chicago Bulls. He quickly got back to his superstar form and led the Bulls to three more championships. His return brought even more excitement to the sport.

Beyond Basketball

After retiring for good from the Chicago Bulls in 1999, Michael Jordan later played for the Washington Wizards from 2001 to 2003 before retiring for the final time. Even after leaving the court, he remained a very important figure in sports.

Businessman and Icon

Today, Michael Jordan is a successful businessman. He owns the Charlotte Hornets, an NBA team. He also has a very popular shoe and clothing line with Nike, called "Air Jordan." His influence goes far beyond basketball, making him a global icon.

Other Uses of the Name

The name Michael Jordan is quite common. While the most famous is the basketball legend, other people and things share the name:

• Michael B. Jordan (born 1987) is a well-known American actor.
• "Michael Jordan" is also the title of songs by artists like Five for Fighting and Kendrick Lamar.
• There are also movies and video games named after the basketball player, such as Michael Jordan: An American Hero (a 1999 TV-film) and Michael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City (a 1994 video game).

Images for kids

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  The Michael Jordan statue in Chicago, celebrating the basketball player.