Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.
From NBA championships to winning gold medals at the Olympics, MJ has just about done it all in the sport!
Throughout his illustrious career, the Chicago Bulls legend has inspired scores of athletes and fans worldwide with his incredible accomplishments, personal triumphs, and philanthropic efforts.
Let’s dive into some inspiring facts about Michael Jordan right now!
Michael Jordan was born 62 years ago on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, to parents Deloris and James Jordan Semor. Deloris was an employee at a bank, while Jordan Sr. was an equipment supervisor.
Growing up, Jordan and his siblings, James Jr., Larry, Deloris, and Roslyn, were raised as Methodists, emphasizing personal faith, social justice, and service to others.
Jordan and his family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina in 1986. This location is famous for being the birthplace of Jordan’s basketball career.
Despite being told he was too short at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) to join the varsity basketball team, Michael Jordan became a high school star in North Carolina, recording several 40-point games in the process!
In 1985, certain Chicago Bulls players refused to pass the ball to Michael Jordan because of the enormous attention he was receiving. Unaffected by this, MJ was voted NBA Rookie of the Year at the end of that season.
While recovering from a broken foot, Michael Jordan returned to North Carolina and completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography.
During the 1986/87 season, after recovering from a broken foot, Michael Jordan scored 3,000 points, the first player since Wilt Chamberlain. He was also the first in NBA history to record 200 steals and 100 blocked shots.
After losing the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals to the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls coach Tex Winter altered the team’s system, affecting Michael Jordan’s playing style. Initially reluctant, MJ eventually embraced his new role, leading to great success for the team.
Three years after his father passed away in 1993, Michael Jordan established a chapter of the Boys & Girls Club of America in Chicago in his dad’s honor.
When Michael Jordan joined the Washington Wizards in September 2001, MJ pledged to donate his player salary to relief efforts for the victims of the tragic September 11 attacks.
Michael Jordan won two gold medals in men’s basketball at the Olympics. He achieved his first gold medal at the 1984 games in Los Angeles and his second gold medal at the 1992 games in Barcelona.
During his illustrious NBA career, Michael Jordan spent many hours studying videos of various opponents to improve his defensive work.
Between the 1986–87 and 2001–02 NBA seasons, Michael Jordan never missed more than three games in any full season he played.
To stay competitive and remain a key player in the sport, Michael Jordan bulked up to 215 pounds (98 kg). He did this to adapt to the increased physicality in the NBA during the 1990s.
Between 2001 and 2014, MJ hosted the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational. The annual golf tournament raised money for various charities.
By 2019, Michael Jordan had raised over $5 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In honor of this 60th birthday in 2023, Jordan donated $10 million to the organization.
In addition to Make-A-Wish, Michael Jordan donated to numerous charities, including Feeding America. He pledged $2 million in proceeds from “The Last Dance,” a documentary featuring him and the Chicago Bulls team from the 1997-98 season, to the charity.
MJ funded two Novant Health Michael Jordan Clinics in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2017. In 2024, he opened another clinic in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Michael Jordan developed hydrophobia after two close friends lost their lives in water. MJ managed to overcome this fear partially by buying a yacht and using it to get around.
In February 2013, Michael Jordan became the first 40-year-old basketball player to score 43 points in a single NBA game.
In addition to his basketball career, Michael Jordan also played baseball. While playing for the Birmingham Barons, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, MJ scored three home runs!
From 1996 to 1998, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to three consecutive championships. Notably, he was named MVP of the NBA Finals in each of those title-winning seasons.
In Game Five of the 1997 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan played and scored 38 points for the Chicago Bulls while suffering from a stomach virus. The match, in which the Bulls won, is often referred to as “The Flu Game.”
Michael Jordan is one of eight basketball players to have won an NCAA Championship, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal.
Many recording artists inspired by Michael Jordan have written songs about him. For example, Kendrick Lemar has the song “Michael Jordan” on his “Overly Dedicated” album.
Michael Jordan bridged the gap between sport and entertainment when he starred in the 1996 film Space Jam. Jordan joined the cast while preparing to return to basketball following his initial retirement from the sport.
In 1991, Michael Jordan was named the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year, an honor awarded to those who most embody the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement.
Following his legendary career on the basketball court, Michael Jordan transitioned into a motivational speaker, inspiring others through his words.
Michael Jordan has five children: Jasmine, Jeffrey, Marcus, and twins Victoria and Ysabel. His eldest, Jeffrey, was born in 1988 during the midst of his basketball career, meaning Jordan balanced the demands of building his career while also embracing fatherhood.
Michael Jordan is known for his inspiring quotes. For example, he once said, “I know fear is an obstacle for some people, but it is an illusion to me. Failure always made me try harder the next time.”
After winning numerous accolades throughout his career, including five times as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for the second time in 2010 as part of the 1992 gold-winning USA men’s Olympic basketball team.
In 2016, Michael Jordan was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Barack Obama. This prestigious honor is a civilian award determined by recommendations to the President.
From failing to initially break into the varsity basketball team during his sophomore year to becoming one of the most recognized basketball players of all time through his dedication to the sport, MJ truly is an inspiration!
Beyond basketball, Jordan has showcased his generosity by regularly donating to a plethora of charities.
He also raised five children while building his legendary basketball career. Despite his success, it’s clear that it’s never been just about him.
Michael Jordan has certainly inspired millions of individuals around the world, and we hope these inspiring facts about MJ have made a lasting impact!
