Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York. Michael has two brothers and two sisters and they are: James Roland, Larry, Delois and Roslyn. For a short time, Michael and his family lived in Brooklyn, New York, but then they decided to move back to Wilmington, North Carolina. At a young age, Michael was everything but selfish. He was a happy-go-lucky and competitive person (Smith 401). Michael set goals for himself in basketball to achieve in basketball. James, Michael Jordan’s father, built a backyard court, from him and his sons to play one-on-one, and other members in his community. Michael got his fierce determination from playing his brother Larry, because Larry was taller, that is where he received his nickname “Rabbit” for his hustle. At first, he played Little League Baseball because he did not make the Varsity basketball at Wilmington’s Laney High School, where he attended. Jordan made the basketball team his sophomore year, but was soon cut. After he was cut, he decided to play baseball, football, and run track. From that time he grew in height from 5”11 to 6”3 (Smith 401). In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jordan played at a Five Star Basketball Camp, right before his senior year. The University of North Carolina offered Jordan a scholarship, which he gladly accepted. Clifton Herring, his high school basketball coach, encouraged him to follow his dreams and practice harder. So every day after school, Jordan would stay and have extra practice in his school gym. Jordan wanted to pursue Geography in 1981 at The University of North Carolina. His roommate was Buzz Peterson, a white reserve player who later introduced Jordan to golf. So in return, Jordan taught Buzz how to play pool. The Chicago Bulls drafted Michael third in the pro draft, with a five year contract, he accepted their seven-figure offer. He dropped out of college to play Professional Basketball. Although his parents supported him, they also wanted him to receive his college degree. Since Jordan joined the team, he seen a great increase in game attendance. In 1985, Jordan had been named Rookie of the Year and the Seagram Award.
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The Bulls, the first team in thirty years, won what was called the three-peat. They subjugated the Portland Trail Blazer in 1992 and the Phoenix Suns in 1993. Jordan was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in each of those championships. He played on the United States Pro Basketball Game in the 1992 Olympics. They were known as “The Dream Team”. They won gold medal in 1992 and 1996(Smith 403). On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement from the NBA. He planned to retire in 1996, but the death of his father caused him to shorten his NBA career. In North Carolina his father was brutally murdered while being car jacked. While trying to deal with the pain, he tried to play Major League Baseball (MLB), but was an unsuccessful player. Whatever Jordan played, the crowd followed(Smith 403). Jordan won his fourth MVP in June 1996, when he returned to the Bulls in 1995. He was the only player to win that many awards. The Bulls won four National Championships in six years. He soon passed John Havlicek to become the sixth all-time leading scorer in history. His career total was 26,399(Smith
The Bulls, the first team in thirty years, won what was called the three-peat. They subjugated the Portland Trail Blazer in 1992 and the Phoenix Suns in 1993. Jordan was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in each of those championships. He played on the United States Pro Basketball Game in the 1992 Olympics. They were known as “The Dream Team”. They won gold medal in 1992 and 1996(Smith 403). On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement from the NBA. He planned to retire in 1996, but the death of his father caused him to shorten his NBA career. In North Carolina his father was brutally murdered while being car jacked. While trying to deal with the pain, he tried to play Major League Baseball (MLB), but was an unsuccessful player. Whatever Jordan played, the crowd followed(Smith 403). Jordan won his fourth MVP in June 1996, when he returned to the Bulls in 1995. He was the only player to win that many awards. The Bulls won four National Championships in six years. He soon passed John Havlicek to become the sixth all-time leading scorer in history. His career total was 26,399(Smith