People | May 27, 2015 12:24 AM EDT

47 Facts About Michael Jordan, The Greatest Basketball Player Of All Time

Michael Jordan is an American former professional basketball player. Here are 47 interesting facts you should know about him.

Top 10 Best Air Jordan sneakers and shoes of All Time


  1. His full name is Michael Jeffrey Jordan and is famously known as MJ.
  2. Jordan is the first athlete in history to become a billionaire (source: Yahoo).
  3. He is also known as "Air Jordan" and "His Airness," thanks to his exceptional leaping ability, illustrated by performing slam dunks from the free throw line in slam dunk contests (source: Wikipedia).
  4. Jordan started his athlete career from his school (Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington) where he played baseball, football, and basketball.
  5. Jordan has played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards.
  6. Initially, (and ironically) he was cut from the varsity team as a sophomore. But eventually he made the team and led it to the state championship.
  7. According to NBA website, Jordan is "the greatest basketball player of all time."
  8. He holds the NBA records for highest career regular season scoring average (30.12 points per game) and highest career playoff scoring average (33.45 points per game).
  9. Jordan has also bagged awards like 'Defensive Player of the Year' and 'Rookie of the Year.'
  10. ESPN has named Jordan as the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century.
  11. Jordan also holds five Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards.
  12. He has starred in the 1996 feature film Space Jam, portraying himself.
  13. Before joining the Bulls, Jordan was a member of the Summer 1984 United States Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal in Los Angeles, California.
  14. Jordan retired after the 1997-98 season but soon joined Washington Wizards as a part owner and president of basketball operations.
  15. In 2001, he was back on the court and played for the Wizards for two seasons before finally hanging up his jersey in 2003.
  16. Jordan has played two Olympic gold medal-winning American basketball teams.
  17. In December 2006, Jordan divorced his wife Juanita Vanoy, who had three children together.
  18. In 2007, Jordan's eldest son, Jeffrey Jordan made the team at the University at Illinois.
  19. In April 2009, Jordan 'sadly' accepted one of basketball's greatest honors: He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
  20. Jordan's father, James R. Jordan, Sr. was murdered (shot dead) on July 23, 1993 and his body was found on August 3 in a swamp in Bennettsville, South Carolina.
  21. Jordan has also played baseball for 2 years in minor league.
  22. Number of documentaries have been dedicated to him and one of the most popular is Michael Jordan to the Max.
  23. He has also appeared in a movie called He Got Game.
  24. Jordan is the majority owner of Charlotte Bobcats and also acts as the team's chairman.
  25. Outside the United Center in the Near West Side community area of Chicago, there stands a Michael Jordan statue, officially known as The Spirit.
  26. One of the most famous quotes by him is: "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
  27. Jordan also owns several restaurants such as MICHAEL JORDAN'S THE STEAK HOUSE N.Y.C.
  28. He hosts an annual golf event known as the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational.
  29. He was married (again) to 35-year-old Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto on April 27, 2013, in Palm Beach, Florida.
  30. A pair of Nikes that were one of the earliest of Jordan, fetched over $71K at an auction.
  31. Nike exclusively produced shoes for Jordan in 1984 under the name of subsidiary, Jordan Brand. It was later released for general public consumption in 1985.
  32. A Tumblr blog is dedicated to his everyday clothing - What The F*** is Michael Jordan Wearing?
  33. Air Jordan is a brand from Nike that produces shoes and athletic clothing designed and produced for Jordan.
  34. Jordan Brand generates $1 billion in sales for Nike.
  35. Jordan also owns Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional closed-course motorcycle road racing team that competes with two Suzukis in the premier Superbike class sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) (source: Wikipedia).
  36. Many computer games have also been developed after the name of Jordan, including Jordan vs. Bird: One on One, NBA 2K12, Michael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City and Michael Jordan in Flight.
  37. Jordan is also active in charity activities. His clothing line, Jordan Brand has made donations to Habitat for Humanity and a Louisiana branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
  38. In the first game in Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks, Jordan received a prolonged standing ovations which is an absolute rarity for an opposing player.
  39. Jordan has been a major spokesman for brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, Gatorade, McDonald's, Ball Park Franks, Rayovac, Wheaties, Hanes, and MCI.
  40. He has appeared in more then 20 commercials for Gatorade.
  41. Jordan has also featured in "Jam" is a song by Michael Jackson.
  42. One of the most famous commercial in which he appeared was "Be Like Mike," in which a song was sung by children wishing to be like Jordan.
  43. Jordan is the 20th most powerful celebrity in the world. He earned $55 million between June 2009 and June 2010.
  44. Jordan wore a nameless no. 12 jersey n a February 14, 1990 game against the Orlando Magic because his no. 23 jersey had been stolen.
  45. Last year, Jordan said that he's "not a Twitterer, not a twerker," but he sometimes tweet from Hornets account.
  46.  The Jordan brand grossed an estimated $2.25 billion in 2013, and Jordan reportedly netted about $90 million.
  47. Michael Jordan still makes $100 million a year and is one of the highest paid retired athletes in 2015.

1)

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Michael Jordan: The Life (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 9.66 out of 10

2)

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Michael Jordan: His Airness (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.5 out of 10

3)

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Michael Jordan By Michael Jordan for Men, 3.4 Ounce (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.5 out of 10
This product is made of high quality materialIt is recommended for romantic wear

4)

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Air Jordan Michael Jordan Shoe Game Basketball Jumpman Key Chain Keychains (AJ 12 Pack) (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 9.8 out of 10
Get All In The Pictures/ Jordan Unique Styles and ColorsAir Jordan Basketball Shoe Collections

5)

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Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.5 out of 10

6)

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Michael Jordan Space Jam Jersey - #23 Tune Squad - White (Medium) (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.6 out of 10
Authentic Stitching100% Polyester Mesh

7)

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Michael Jordan Last Shot 24x36 Poster Chicago Bulls (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.5 out of 10
MADE IN THE USA using high quality 36x23 poster paperProfessionally printed with fade resistant, premium inks

8)

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Michael Jordan: The Inspiring Story of One of Basketball's Greatest Players (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.7 out of 10

9)

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NBA 2009 Michael Jordan Legacy Set Trading Cards - 50 Individual Cards (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.8 out of 10
Officially licensed trading cardsFactory sealed box

10)

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Michael Jordan Famous Foul Line Dunk 24x36 Poster (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 9.4 out of 10
High Quality Poster Print24 inch x 36 inch Full Size Poster

12)

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Micheal Jordan: Come Fly with Me (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 9.8 out of 10

13)

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Michael Jordan: Legends in Sports (Matt Christopher Legends in Sports) (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.5 out of 10

14)

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Nike Jordan Men's Air Jordan 1 Mid Black/Black/White/Gym Red Basketball Shoe 10.5 Men US (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.5 out of 10
An encapsulated Air sole unit for lightweight cushioningJordan Wings logo on the upper side

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Nike Jordan Mens Air Jordan Spike Forty PE Black/Fire Red/Cement Grey Basketball Shoe 9 Men US (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
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Tightly woven mesh is lightweight and durableAJ V-inspired accents reflect color for a modern twist on the original

16)

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Nike Air Jordan 7 Retro "Nothing But Net" Men's Basketball Shoes 304775-142 White 9.5 M US (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.5 out of 10
Dynamic-Fit inner sleeve for maximum comfortPolyurethane footbed with Phylon wrap offers durable cushioning

17)

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Nike Jordan Kids's Jordan Eclipse BG Black/White/Pure Platinum Running Shoe 7 Kids US (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.5 out of 10
Herringbone pattern outsole for traction and on-court flexibilityEncapsulated Air-Sole unit in the heel for added cushioning

18)

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Nike Mens Air Jordan 12 Retro "Flu Games" Black/Varisty Red Leather Size 8.5 (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
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100% AuthenticBlack/Varisty Red

19)

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Nike Jordan Men's Air Jordan 1 Low Black/Gym Red/Wolf Grey/White Basketball Shoe 10.5 Men US (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 9.4 out of 10
The Air Jordan 1 Low will keep you comfortable and fresh whether you\'re on the hardwoods, blacktop or just on the goRubber outsole with forefoot flex grooves for traction and flexibility in key areas

20)

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Nike Jordan Men's Air Jordan 8 Retro White/Infrrd 23/Blk/Brght Cncr Basketball Shoe 12 Men US (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 8.5 out of 10
There is a TPU external heel counter and insert in the midfoot that houses an internal shank plateThe look is completed with a solid rubber outsole that features a circular traction pattern and strategically placed flex grooves for superior grip on a variety of surfaces

21)

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Nike Jordan Men's Jordan True Flight Black/Gym Red/Anthracite/Wlf Gry Basketball Shoe 11 Men US (Click Link to Check Price on Amazon)
Editor's Rating : 9.5 out of 10
Mesh upper provides lightweight flexibilityThin overlay provides the perfect amount of support

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