Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time. The legend of the Chicago Bulls icon broke numerous records and changed the way people look at basketball today. He altered the trajectory of NBA finance beyond all recognition, becoming a Billionaire and currently holding the title as the only former player, MAJORITY, owner of an NBA Franchise. He clearly wasn’t only a fierce competitor and a gifted athlete. Only an incredibly smart person could chart the course he has.
What type of education did Michael Jordan have? Jordan completed his College education at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He attended college on a full athletic scholarship after graduating from Emsley A. Laney High School, Wilmington, North Carolina. He spent 3 years as a college student athlete, graduating with a degree in 1986, becoming a Bachelor of Arts. He entered the NBA draft in 1986 and exceeded expectations.
Even though he did not continue studying past the standard 3 years most future NBA stars did at the time, it did not hamper Jordan from becoming one of the smartest and best performers on the court and in the boardroom. Let’s have a look at his childhood years and Jordan’s education in more detail.
Jordan was not an excellent student
Michael Jordan received basic education in the elementary school of Ogden in Wilmington and then moved to High School in Wilmington. Jordan poorly studied at school, however, despite this, after the end of the eleventh grade, he received proposals at once from several leading US universities.
At the same time, the athlete has positively proven himself in the Pan American Games. Jordan showed the best results. Later, the athlete managed to take part in the 1984 Olympics. During the Olympic Games, the basketball player demonstrated the best results. However, Michael did not finish at the university. After all, a promising player was noticed in the NBA. Michael’s father also saw his potential. Thanks to the support of parents, the athlete was able to achieve significant results. A successful career in the future was also imminent.
Jordan was interested in baseball
When Jordan was 12 years old, he became interested in baseball. As a student of primary school, Michael Jordan got to the final. MJ demonstrated positive results and later he was recognized as an absolute state champion. At that time, Michael’s family had already moved to North Carolina. During school, the future basketball player became the most valuable player in the baseball team. Athletes were invited to participate in different contests and act at important competitions. However, Michael decided to try basketball. At the age of 15, Michael had a height of about 180 cm. Jordan liked basketball so much that his father decided to build a full-fledged platform with a basket in the backyard.
Switching to basketball
He moved to the High School of Emsley A. Laney in Wilmington where he had an unsuccessful attempt to join the school basketball team in the second year. Understanding that he was denied due to the lack of necessary growth, Michael returned to the younger basketball team of the school and achieved incredible results.
It was shortly before Michael played for such college teams as Virginia, Duke, Syracuse, as well as for North Carolina, which noted his achievements in basketball, contributing to his Scholarships at the university. North Carolina in 1981.
During his studies at University Michael, who was trained by Dean Smith, became a rookie of the year at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 1982. He also made a decisive shot which helped his team to win the NCAA Championship against Georgetown University.
Jordan, his brother and further success
Jordan’s brother was also interested in basketball but gave up later. Jordan, though he was upset by a similar position, did not put his hands and continued to do it on his own, watching the workouts of more experienced district basketball players. Closer to the end of school education, the young basketball player has changed, grew and developed a more suitable sports physique for basketball and it was not left unnoticed.
The coach, noticing the progress and diligence of the guys, accepted him in a personal roster. During the games, he perfectly demonstrated himself so it’s not surprising that after graduation, he was offered a sports scholarship from several good US universities. Among all proposals, the most attractive was the invitation to the University of North Carolina. With the entry into the student team, the role of Jordan changed. He started to prove everyone that a new legend was going to appear in the NBA.
Studying in high school, Michael was one of the best players of his age. Smith had one of the highest percentages of victories among the coaches of basketball student teams, he was repeatedly recognized as the coach of the year.
At the University of North Carolina, coach Smith built a strong team. He loved his tough discipline and was an excellent teacher. Michael would respect him and knew that Smith wanted to help him.
Parents’ role in education
For Parents, in the first place, of course, was the education Michael Jordan had to get to grow as a person. Parents brought up Michael as a hardworking and conscientious person.
If we take a quick look at Jordan’s education and period at school, he was an ordinary boy. He was depressed and did not want to play sports when he was not taken to the school team. It seemed to him that he did not like the coach. However the determination, proper approach from parents and further success shows that everything is possible with correct management.
Jordan’s philanthropy
In 2021, Jordan partnered with Jordan Brand to donate $1 million to Morehouse College in Atlanta.The money went towards scholarships for black students.
According to Jordan, education is the key to understanding the black experience in today’s world. He wants to help people feel the truth about the past and help nurture young professionals who will tell stories and shape future generations.