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Top 20 Remarkable Facts about Michael Jordan

*Originally published by Diana C in November 2022 , Updated by Vanessa R in November 2023 and  Updated by Felix in January 2024

Michael Jordan is one of the most well-known basketball player in the world even after retirement. He was a dominant player in the NBA, and won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. He also won two Olympic gold medals as a member of the United States men’s national basketball team. Jordan was known for his incredible athleticism and his ability to make difficult shots look easy.

He was born to Deloris and James Jordan on Feb 17, 1963 in Brooklyn. Though he was born in Brooklyn, he was brought up in North Carolina. Jordan shared a strong relationship with his father because of their love for basketball. Here are the Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Michael Jordan.

1. He has a water phobia

Photo by Reisio. .

Jordan has a fear of water, which stems from a tragic incident during his childhood. He saw a good friend of his drown when he got sucked into the undertow, and this understandably scarred him for life.

Shortly after, Jordan almost drowned whilst at baseball camp and he has had a phobia ever since. He has somewhat overcome his fear, but he admits to still feeling uncomfortable when on a small boat or when near big bodies of water.

2. Jordan has married twice in his lifetime

In 1989, he married Juanita Vanoy and they had three children together, Jeffrey Michael, Marcus James and Jasmine. They divorced in 2016. In 2011, MJ proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Cuban model Yvette Prieto, and the pair married in 2013. A year later, Prieto gave birth to identical twins, Victoria and Ysabel.

While Jordan has tried to keep his life private, there has been a lot of attention surrounding his sons and whether they would follow in their father’s footsteps. Marcus played for UCF Knights while Jeffrey played at Illinois before joining his brother later on. 

3. Jordan began his basketball career in high school

Jordan attended Laney High School, located in Wilmington, North Carolina. While here, he tried to get into the Varsity basketball team. Unfortunately, he was 71 feet/180.3 cm tall at that time and he was also skinny. He was not allowed in the team.

He later grew to 75 feet/190.5 cm and began walking his path to success. He attended the University of North Carolina, where he played as a freshman alongside James Worthy and Sam Perkins. His skills began to be recognized while playing against Georgetown in the NCAA championship.

4. He has received many awards for being an outstanding basketballer

Photo by D. Myles Cullen. .

He earned so many accolades, medals, and nicknames for his incredible abilities in the sport of basketball. One of his accolades includes the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.

He was also elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. He even starred in the movie ‘Space Jam’ with animated characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, and the movie was extremely successful.

5. He retired in 1993

Michael Jordan retired in 1993 from the Chicago Bulls after the death of his father, who was very close to him. Michael Jordan later said in an interview that the murder of his father led to his decision to retire from playing.

6. He is the only athlete who is a billionaire

Michael Jordan is presently the only athlete who is a billionaire, with a total net worth of 1.6 billion dollars. He owns a custom-built mansion in Florida. His first deal with Nike, were engineered by his agent, David Falk.

Jordan has described Falk as “the best at what he does” and that “marketing-wise, he’s great. He’s the one who came up with the concept of ‘Air Jordan.’ In June 2014, Jordan was named the first NBA player to become a billionaire, after he increased his stake in the Charlotte Hornets from 80% to 89.5%.

7. Michael Jordan loved golfing

Photo by Fredrick Lee. .

Jordan’s passion for golf began in the summer of 1984, when he first ventured to a course with a group that included future golf pro Davis Love III. He parred one of the holes that day. This made him believe he could par all 18 with a little more practice.

The thirst for perfection led to his squeezing in as many rounds as possible in his downtime. In fact he did not honor the invitation of  President George H.W. Bush  to the White House with the rest of the NBA champion Chicago Bulls in 1991. Later he held the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Pro-Am Golf Tournament in Las Vegas from 2001 to 2014.

8. He is a philanthropist

Photo by Nick Jio. .

Michael Jordan has made many contributions to charity. In 2002, Jordan donated his entire season’s salary to the 9/11 charities.

When Hurricane Florence hit Carolina in 2018 and Hurricane Dorian damaged the Bahamas in 2019, Jordan announced contributions to each of the relief efforts. In addition, he has been working with the Make-A-Wish foundation for over 30 years, granting hundreds of wishes.

9. He has worked in collaboration with very many brands

Jordan is one of the most marketed sports figures in history. He has been a major spokesman for such brands as Nike, Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, Gatorade, McDonald’s, Ball Park Franks, Rayovac, Wheaties, Hanes, and MCI.

Jordan has had a long relationship with Gatorade. He has appeared in over 20 commercials for the company since 1991. This includes the “Be Like Mike” commercials in which a song was sung by children wishing to be like Jordan.

10. He owns the Charlotte Hornets

Photo by Escapists606. .

In 2010, the NBA Board of Governors approved Jordan’s purchase of the Charlotte Hornets. He became the majority owner and the first NBA player to own an NBA team. The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division and play their home games at the Spectrum Center in Uptown Charlotte. 

11. He was named the NCAA College Player of the Year twice

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Michael Jordan was named the NCAA College Player of the Year twice, in 1983 and 1984. He was the first player to win the award twice since Lew Alcindor in 1968 and 1969. Jordan’s accomplishments in college were remarkable. He led the North Carolina Tar Heels to the NCAA championship in 1982 and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He was also a two-time All-American and the ACC Player of the Year in 1984.

Jordan’s statistics were also impressive. He averaged 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game during his college career. He shot 54.0% from the field and 43.2% from three-point range. Jordan’s ability to dominate games on both ends of the court made him one of the most exciting and impactful players in college basketball history. He was a true superstar, and it was no surprise that he was named the NCAA College Player of the Year twice.

12. Jordan once commissioned an artist to design a dining room table

Michael Jordan once commissioned an artist to design a dining room table for him. The artist, Enn Sirvet, is a metal sculptor who is known for his unique and innovative designs. Sirvet proposed a table that would have one hole drilled for every point that Jordan had scored in his NBA career. Jordan loved the idea, and Sirvet went to work on the table. The table took Sirvet over a year to complete. It is made of stainless steel and has over 32,000 holes drilled into it. The table is a work of art in its own right, and it is also a reminder of Jordan’s incredible accomplishments on the basketball court.

Jordan is said to be very fond of his dining room table. He has said that it is one of his most prized possessions. The table is a symbol of Jordan’s success and his dedication to the game of basketball. It is also a reminder of the hard work and dedication that it takes to achieve greatness.

13. A type of salmonella was named after Michael Jordan by a doctor

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Stanford Shulman named a salmonella strain named Salmonella mjordan after Michael Jordan in 1993, in honour of his basketball achievements. Jordan was honoured by the gesture and expressed his satisfaction. Although Salmonella mjordan is a rare strain, it is still important to be aware of it as it can cause food poisoning, making it a significant reminder of the importance of respecting and understanding the potential risks associated with Salmonella.

14. Michael Jordan quit smoking to be a better role model for his kids

Michael Jordan began smoking in 1991 due to the pressure of being a superstar and to help him relax and focus. He smoked before, after, and during games, halftime, locker room, and team plane. After retiring from basketball in 2001, Jordan quit smoking to be a healthy role model for his children. 

15. He is the fourth child among his siblings

Michael Jordan, the fourth child of his five siblings, has had a strong support system both on and off the court. His siblings, including brothers James R. Jordan Jr. and Larry Jordan, as well as sisters Deloris and Roslyn Jordan, have been a source of love and admiration for him. Jordan has expressed gratitude for the love and support of his siblings, who have also praised him as a great role model and are proud of his accomplishments. Roslyn Jordan, Jordan’s sister, praised him as a great brother and a great role model, highlighting the importance of family in Jordan’s success. Their support and love continue to be a source of love and encouragement for Jordan

16. He was Motivated to Play Basketball by his Brother Larry

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Michael Jordan was motivated to play basketball by his older brother, Larry. When Michael was a child, Larry beat him in backyard basketball games. Though they were very close, the sibling rivalry pushed Michael to practice tirelessly to beat Larry one-on-one finally. Even as Michael surpassed his brother’s skills, he continued to use Larry as motivation to become the best basketball player he could be.

Larry provided Michael with constant competition growing up. Losing to his older brother fueled Michael’s competitive spirit and drive for excellence in basketball. The friendly rivalry between the two brothers pushed Michael to train hard so that he could best Larry in their backyard matches. This motivation from his brother propelled Michael’s basketball career.

17. He is a Degree Graduate from the University of North Carolina

Michael Jordan is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his degree in cultural geography in 1986. He played basketball for three seasons with the Tar Heels under legendary coach Dean Smith before entering the NBA draft in 1984.

Though Jordan left UNC early for the NBA, he returned to complete his degree in 1986 while playing for the Chicago Bulls. Jordan has credited Dean Smith and UNC with helping shape him into the player and person he became. His time at UNC gave him structure and discipline, allowing his basketball skills to thrive. Jordan cherishes his UNC degree, showing that education and basketball are always important to him.

18. He holds the Record for the Highest Vertical Jump in History of NBA

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Michael Jordan holds the record for the highest vertical jump in NBA history, with a 48-inch vertical leap. His incredible hang time and ability to soar for gravity-defying dunks was a signature part of his playing style.

Jordan’s unparalleled leaping ability resulted from his rigorous training regimen focused on building lower body and core strength. He spent hours doing squats, lunges, and calf raises to develop the muscular power needed to achieve his record vertical jump. His historic vertical leap made him essentially unbeatable, and he used it to electrify crowds with his highlight reel dunks throughout his legendary career.

19. He has the Biggest Hands in NBA History

Even larger than the hands of current star Kawhi Leonard, Michael Jordan holds the record for the largest hands in NBA history. When Jordan’s hands are spread wide, the length between the tips of his pinky and thumb fingers is 11.375 inches.

Jordan had a distinct advantage on the basketball court thanks to his exceptionally huge hands. He had better control and ball handling ability since he could hold and palm the ball more effortlessly. He was also able to grab challenging passes that other players would mishandle thanks to his large hands. Jordan’s huge hands helped him take the ball from opponents more easily when playing defense. All things considered, Jordan’s record-breaking hand size greatly enhanced his abilities and basketball achievements. His hands were just right for winning the game.

20. Michael Jordan did not come from a Family of Tall People

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Michael Jordan did not come from a family of exceptionally tall people. His mother and father were under five feet, eleven inches, and his four siblings were also average height.

Despite his family’s modest stature, Jordan grew to be six feet, six inches, thanks to a rapid growth spurt during his teen years. His height was unusual compared to the rest of his family, as he towered over both his parents and siblings. Jordan was conscious from an early age that he was taller than his peers. His size was an advantage when he began playing basketball in high school. Jordan developed a versatile playing style that took advantage of his height. He succeeded through natural athleticism and hard work, not genetics. Jordan’s extraordinary height was an outlier in his family, but it allowed him to become a basketball legend.

5 Popular Movies with Michael Jordan

1. Space Jam (1996)

Starring alongside Bugs Bunny is basketball icon Michael Jordan in the live-action/animated sports comedy film Space Jam (1996). In the movie, Jordan is dragged into the realm of Looney Tunes, where NBA players have had their talent stolen by aliens known as the Monstars. Jordan needs to help the Tunes defeat the Monstars in a basketball game if they want to regain their talent. In preparation for the aliens on the court, Jordan plays and trains alongside Bugs, Daffy Duck, and the rest of the gang. Jordan made his acting debut in the entertaining, family-friendly basketball and cartoon film Space Jam, which also brought Looney Tunes to a new audience. It was a huge hit and the highest-grossing basketball movie ever made.

2. He Got Game (1998)

He Got Game (1998) is a sports drama directed by Spike Lee. It stars Denzel Washington as a convict trying to convince his estranged basketball prodigy son, played by NBA player Ray Allen, to attend the governor’s alma mater. If he succeeds, the father’s prison sentence will be reduced. Michael Jordan has a supporting role playing himself – the star player of the governor’s team who helps recruit Allen’s character. Jordan’s cameo provides commentary on sports recruitment and commercialization. Overall, He Got Game (1998) is a complex look at family relationships and the pressures of high-level basketball, as well as a showcase of Jordan’s acting talent beyond the familiar Space Jam role.

3. Michael Jordan To The Max (2000)

Michael Jordan serves as the narrator and focal point of the IMAX film Michael Jordan To the Max (2000). It details his illustrious career, concentrating on his 1997–1998 championship season with the Chicago Bulls. The film features interviews and behind-the-scenes footage that highlight Jordan’s intense training schedule and spirit of competition. As fans are engrossed in Jordan’s spectacular dunks and clutch baskets on the enormous IMAX screen, it also includes footage from some of his most memorable games.

4. The Last Dance (2020)

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s are the subject of the ten-part ESPN series The Last Dance (2020). With a never-before-seen film from his final NBA season (1997–1998) with the Bulls, it paints a vivid picture of the great player’s career. The show follows the highs and lows of the Bulls’ run for a sixth title, as well as Jordan’s superstar status both on and off the court and his fierce competitive spirit. Jordan’s teammates and notable figures provide rare interviews and analysis in The Last Dance (2020), providing an unmatched perspective on one of the best teams and individuals in basketball history. It solidifies Jordan’s legendary legacy and solidifies his status as the greatest player of all time.

5. Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)

The Looney Tunes characters, together with actors Brendan Fraser, Jenna Elfman, and Timothy Dalton, star in Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003), an animated comedy film that is a sequel to Space Jam. Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck accompany Elfman and Fraser on their quest to save the cartoon world in this adventure. Near the end of the movie, basketball legend Michael Jordan makes a cameo appearance reprising his Space Jam (1996) performance. Jordan enlists the aid of fellow NBA players to battle the baddies in a basketball match that Granny has set up. Jordan’s cameo gives a playful homage to his prior Looney Tunes collaboration and gives the silly, family-friendly movie celebrity power