Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, a transcendent athlete whose brilliance on the court and global fame helped transform basketball into a worldwide phenomenon. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, he was famously cut from his high-school varsity team as a sophomore — a setback that fueled a legendary competitive drive — before starring at the University of North Carolina, where he hit the winning shot in the 1982 national championship game.
Joining the Chicago Bulls in 1984, Jordan quickly became the most electrifying player in the National Basketball Association, combining spectacular athleticism, scoring ability, and a ferocious will to win. Soaring through the air with a grace that earned him the nickname "Air Jordan," he won scoring titles year after year and captivated audiences with his acrobatic play.
In the 1990s he led the Bulls to six championships in eight years, twice winning three titles in a row, and was named the finals' most valuable player each time. His clutch performances and relentless competitiveness, often in dramatic fashion, cemented his legend, and he was repeatedly honored as the league's most valuable player.
Jordan's influence extended far beyond the court. His partnership with Nike on the Air Jordan brand of sneakers revolutionized sports marketing, and he became one of the most recognizable people on earth. After retiring as a player he became a team owner, his name still synonymous with athletic excellence.