Michael Jordan Timeline

(1963 - Present)

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. This timeline covers his rise from a college star at the University of North Carolina to NBA Rookie of the Year, six championships with the Chicago Bulls, two Olympic gold medals, and his post-playing career as an owner and global business icon. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life and College

Michael Jordan is born in Brooklyn, New York

Feb 17, 1963

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, to James and Deloris Jordan. The family soon moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, where Jordan grew up and developed his love of sports.

Image source: Michael Jordan

Cut from varsity basketball team as a sophomore

Nov 1978

As a sophomore at Emsley A. Laney High School, Jordan failed to make the varsity team, a famous setback that motivated him to train relentlessly and grow into one of the greatest players ever.

Stars at Laney High School and earns McDonald's All-American honors

1981

Jordan became a standout at Laney High School, averaging over 25 points per game as a senior and earning selection to the 1981 McDonald's All-American Game, attracting attention from top college programs.

Image source: McDonald's All-American Game

Enrolls at the University of North Carolina

Sep 1981

Jordan chose to play for coach Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, joining a program with a rich basketball tradition.

Image source: North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball

Hits game-winning shot in NCAA championship game

Mar 29, 1982

As a freshman, Jordan hit the game-winning jump shot against Georgetown in the NCAA title game, giving North Carolina the national championship and launching his legend on the national stage.

Image source: 1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball championship game

Named consensus National Player of the Year

Mar 1984

After a stellar junior season in which he averaged 19.6 points per game, Jordan won the Naismith and Wooden Awards as the nation's top college player before declaring for the NBA draft.

Image source: Naismith College Player of the Year

Wins gold with US Olympic team in Los Angeles

Jul 28, 1984 - Aug 11, 1984

Jordan led the amateur United States squad to a gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics, averaging a team-high 17.1 points per game during the tournament.

Image source: Basketball at the 1984 Summer Olympics

NBA Career

Drafted third overall by the Chicago Bulls

Jun 19, 1984

The Chicago Bulls selected Jordan with the third pick in the 1984 NBA draft, behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie, a decision that would transform the franchise and the league.

Image source: 1984 NBA draft

Signs landmark endorsement deal with Nike

Oct 1984

Jordan signed with Nike, which created the Air Jordan line of sneakers for him. The partnership revolutionized athletic marketing and became one of the most successful endorsements in history.

Image source: Air Jordan

Wins NBA Rookie of the Year Award

May 1985

Jordan averaged 28.2 points per game in his debut season, earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors and immediately establishing himself as one of the league's premier players.

Image source: NBA Rookie of the Year

Scores 63 points against Celtics in playoffs

Apr 20, 1986

In a first-round playoff game at Boston Garden, Jordan scored an NBA playoff-record 63 points against the Boston Celtics, prompting Larry Bird to famously call him 'God disguised as Michael Jordan.'

Image source: 1986 NBA playoffs

Wins first NBA scoring title

Apr 1987

Jordan averaged 37.1 points per game in the 1986–87 season, winning the first of ten scoring titles and becoming the only player besides Wilt Chamberlain to score 3,000 points in a season.

Image source: List of NBA annual scoring leaders

Wins gold at Seoul Olympics with the Dream Team

Jul 25, 1992 - Aug 8, 1992

Jordan joined Magic Johnson and Larry Bird on the legendary 'Dream Team' at the Barcelona Olympics, dominating international competition and winning his second Olympic gold medal.

Retires from basketball for the first time

Oct 6, 1993

Shaken by the murder of his father James Jordan that summer, Jordan announced his retirement from the NBA at age 30, saying he had lost his desire to play basketball.

Pursues professional baseball career

Feb 1994 - Mar 1995

Jordan signed with the Chicago White Sox organization and played minor league baseball for the Birmingham Barons and Scottsdale Scorpions, batting .202 in his lone full season.

Image source: Birmingham Barons

Returns to the NBA with 'I'm back' announcement

Mar 18, 1995

Jordan ended his retirement with a two-word press release: 'I'm back.' He returned wearing number 45 and scored 55 points in just his fifth game back, against the New York Knicks.

Retires for the second time

Jan 13, 1999

With the Bulls dynasty dismantled amid a lockout-shortened season, Jordan announced his second retirement, leaving the game as a six-time champion and five-time MVP.

Returns as a player with the Washington Wizards

Sep 25, 2001

Jordan came out of retirement again to play two seasons for the Wizards, donating his salary to relief efforts after September 11 and averaging over 20 points per game despite being nearly 40.

Plays final NBA game

Apr 16, 2003

Jordan played his last NBA game in Philadelphia, scoring 15 points and receiving a standing ovation as he left the court for the final time, closing a legendary 15-season career.

Championships and Achievements

Wins first NBA championship with the Bulls

Jun 12, 1991

Jordan led the Bulls past the Los Angeles Lakers in five games to capture Chicago's first NBA championship, beginning a run of dominance and earning Finals MVP honors.

Image source: 1991 NBA Finals

Wins first NBA championship with the Bulls

Wins second consecutive NBA championship

Jun 14, 1992

The Bulls defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in six games, with Jordan winning his second straight Finals MVP after averaging over 35 points per game in the series.

Image source: 1992 NBA Finals

Wins second consecutive NBA championship

Completes first three-peat against Phoenix Suns

Jun 20, 1993

Chicago beat Charles Barkley's Phoenix Suns in six games, securing a third consecutive title. Jordan averaged a Finals-record 41 points per game and won a third consecutive Finals MVP.

Image source: 1993 NBA Finals

Completes first three-peat against Phoenix Suns

Wins fourth NBA championship after record 72-win season

Jun 16, 1996

The 1995–96 Bulls went 72–10, then an NBA best regular-season record, and defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in the Finals for Jordan's fourth championship and fourth Finals MVP.

Wins fifth NBA championship against Utah Jazz

Jun 15, 1997

Despite playing through flu-like symptoms in the famous 'Flu Game,' Jordan led the Bulls past Karl Malone and John Stockton's Utah Jazz in six games for another title.

Image source: 1997 NBA Finals

Wins fifth NBA championship against Utah Jazz

Wins sixth championship with 'Last Shot' against Jazz

Jun 14, 1998

Jordan hit the game-winning jumper over Bryon Russell in Game 6 to clinch Chicago's second three-peat. The moment capped 'The Last Dance' season and became one of sport's most iconic images.

Image source: 1998 NBA Finals

Wins sixth championship with 'Last Shot' against Jazz

Post-Playing Career

Becomes part-owner and president of the Washington Wizards

Jan 19, 2000

Jordan returned to the NBA as president of basketball operations and part-owner of the Washington Wizards, where he drafted Kwame Brown and reshaped the roster.

Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Sep 11, 2009

Jordan was enshrined in the Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2009, delivering a memorable speech in which he thanked rivals and critics who fueled his competitive drive.

Image source: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Buys majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets

Jul 2010

Jordan purchased a controlling interest in the Charlotte Bobcats (later renamed the Hornets), becoming the first former NBA player to be a majority owner of an NBA franchise.

Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

Nov 22, 2016

President Barack Obama awarded Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, recognizing his contributions to sports and American culture.

Image source: Presidential Medal of Freedom

ESPN releases documentary series The Last Dance

Apr 19, 2020 - May 17, 2020

The ten-part ESPN documentary chronicling Jordan's final season with the Bulls captivated audiences worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic and introduced his story to a new generation of fans.

Image source: The Last Dance (miniseries)

Sells majority stake in Charlotte Hornets

Jun 2023

Jordan agreed to sell his controlling stake in the Hornets to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, ending his 13-year tenure as the franchise's majority owner while retaining a minority share.

Key Facts

Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina.
He hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship game as a freshman at the University of North Carolina.
Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls (1991-1993 and 1996-1998) and earned Finals MVP in all six series.
He won five regular-season MVP awards and ten scoring titles during his 15-year NBA career.
After retiring from basketball, Jordan became the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets and built the globally successful Jordan Brand with Nike.

Source

This Michael Jordan timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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