Early Life and Education of Michael Jordan: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Michael Jordan. From birth to education, explore key events.
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of basketball's greatest players, spent 15 seasons in the NBA (1984-2003). He led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and significantly boosted the sport's global popularity. Currently a businessman and minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, Jordan is also recognized as the wealthiest athlete and among the world's richest celebrities. His influence extends beyond the court, solidifying his legacy as a global icon.
February 17, 1963: Michael Jordan's Birth
On February 17, 1963, Michael Jeffrey Jordan, later known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, was born.
1968: Family move to Wilmington
In 1968, Michael Jordan's family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he would later attend high school.
1976: ABA–NBA merger
Since 1976, the year of the ABA–NBA merger, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are the only two players to win six NBA Finals playing for one team.
1980: Accepted scholarship to UNC
In 1980, Michael Jordan accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in cultural geography.
1981: McDonald's All-American Game
In 1981, Michael Jordan was selected for the McDonald's All-American Game as a high school senior and scored 30 points.
1982: Game-winning shot in NCAA Championship
In 1982, Michael Jordan made the game-winning jump shot in the NCAA Championship game against Georgetown, a moment he later described as a major turning point in his basketball career.
1982: National Championship with Tar Heels
In 1982, Michael Jordan, as a freshman, was a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels' national championship team.
1983: NCAA All-American First Team Selection
In 1983, Michael Jordan was selected by consensus to the NCAA All-American First Team during his sophomore season.
1984: College Player of the Year and NBA Draft
In 1984, Michael Jordan was named the national college player of the year and was subsequently selected by the Chicago Bulls with the third overall pick in the NBA draft.
1986: Graduation from North Carolina
In 1986, Michael Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography.
1990: Acquisition of Nissan Dealership
In 1990, Michael Jordan's automotive group acquired a Nissan dealership in Durham, North Carolina.
1992: Preparing for retirement
As early as the summer of 1992, Michael Jordan was preparing for retirement due to exhaustion.
1992: Last Game 7
In 1992, Michael Jordan last played in a Game 7 since the Eastern Conference Semifinals with the New York Knicks.
July 23, 1993: Murder of James R. Jordan Sr.
On July 23, 1993, James R. Jordan Sr., Michael Jordan's father, was murdered at a highway rest area in Lumberton, North Carolina.
October 6, 1993: First Retirement Announcement
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan announced his retirement from basketball, citing a loss of desire to play following his father's murder.
1993: Third NBA Title and First Retirement
In 1993, Michael Jordan won his third consecutive NBA title with the Bulls, achieving a three-peat. Citing exhaustion, he then abruptly retired to play Minor League Baseball.
1993: Bulls Season Record
In 1993, the Bulls went 55-27 without Michael Jordan in the lineup.
1994: Three-point line moved inwards
From 1994 to 1997, the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards.
March 1995: Return to the Bulls
In March 1995, Michael Jordan decided to quit baseball and returned to the Bulls midway through the season.
March 18, 1995: Comeback Announcement
On March 18, 1995, Michael Jordan announced his comeback to the NBA with a two-word press release: "I'm back."
1995: Return to the Bulls
In 1995, Michael Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls after a brief stint in Minor League Baseball.
1995: Lincoln-Mercury Dealership
In 1995, Michael Jordan's company had a Lincoln-Mercury dealership.
1997: Three-point line moved inwards
From 1994 to 1997, the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards.
1998: Autobiography Release
In his 1998 autobiography "For the Love of the Game", Michael Jordan wrote that he was preparing for retirement as early as the summer of 1992.
January 13, 1999: Second Retirement Announcement
On January 13, 1999, Michael Jordan retired for the second time, due to Phil Jackson's contract expiring.
1999: Second NBA Retirement
In 1999, Michael Jordan retired for the second time from the NBA, marking another pause in his illustrious basketball career.
January 19, 2000: Return to the NBA as Executive
On January 19, 2000, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA not as a player but as part owner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards.
2001: Jordan's knee injury
From 1986-87 to 2001-02, Michael Jordan was noted as a durable player, rarely missing four or more games in a full season until 2001-02 when he injured his right knee.
2001: Inaugural Celebrity Invitational
In 2001, Michael Jordan hosted the first annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational golf tournament, which raised money for various charities.
2001: Return to NBA with Wizards
In 2001, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA for two seasons as a member of the Washington Wizards.
2001: Drafting Kwame Brown
In the 2001 NBA draft, Michael Jordan used the first pick to select high school student Kwame Brown.
January 4, 2002: First Divorce Filing
On January 4, 2002, Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, but they later reconciled.
2004: Michael Jordan Motorsports Founded
In 2004, Michael Jordan founded Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional motorcycle road racing team.
December 29, 2006: Finalized Divorce from Juanita Vanoy
On December 29, 2006, Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy finalized their divorce, with Juanita receiving a $168 million settlement.
2006: Part-Owner of Charlotte Bobcats
In 2006, Michael Jordan became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats (later renamed the Hornets).
2008: Chief Wish Ambassador
In 2008, The Make-A-Wish Foundation named Michael Jordan its Chief Wish Ambassador.
2009: Closure of Lincoln-Mercury Dealership
In 2009, Michael Jordan's Lincoln-Mercury dealership closed.
2010: Controlling Interest in Charlotte Hornets
In 2010, Michael Jordan bought a controlling interest in the Charlotte Hornets, further solidifying his involvement with the team.
2011: Proposed to Yvette Prieto
In 2011, Michael Jordan proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto.
April 27, 2013: Marries Yvette Prieto
On April 27, 2013, Michael Jordan married Yvette Prieto at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.
November 30, 2013: Announcement of First Child with Prieto
On November 30, 2013, it was announced that Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto were expecting their first child together.
2013: Michael Jordan Motorsports Ends
In 2013, Michael Jordan Motorsports, Michael Jordan's professional motorcycle road racing team, competed for the last time.
2013: 200th Wish Granted
In 2013, Michael Jordan granted his 200th wish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
2013: Bobcats Renamed Hornets
In 2013, the Charlotte Bobcats were renamed the Charlotte Hornets.
February 11, 2014: Birth of Twin Daughters
On February 11, 2014, Yvette Prieto gave birth to identical twin daughters, Michael Jordan's first children with her.
2014: Final Celebrity Invitational
In 2014, Michael Jordan hosted the final Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational golf tournament, which raised money for various charities.
2016: Donations to NAACP and Institute for Community-Police Relations
In 2016, amidst public unrest about police shootings and attacks against police officers, Michael Jordan made $1 million donations to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Institute for Community-Police Relations to "build trust and respect between communities and law enforcement."
2017: Donation to Novant Health Clinics
In 2017, Michael Jordan gave $7 million to fund two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics in Charlotte, North Carolina, his biggest donation to that point.
2018: Steakhouse Closure
In 2018, Michael Jordan's steakhouse in New York City's Grand Central Terminal closed.
2019: Funds Raised for Make-A-Wish Foundation
As of 2019, Michael Jordan has raised more than $5 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
2019: Becomes a Grandfather
In 2019, Michael Jordan became a grandfather when his daughter Jasmine gave birth to a son.
2019: Hurricane Dorian Relief Donation
In 2019, Michael Jordan gave $1 million to aid the Bahamas' recovery following Hurricane Dorian.
June 5, 2020: $100 Million Pledge for Racial Equality
On June 5, 2020, Michael Jordan and his brand announced a joint statement that they would be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to "ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education" following the murder of George Floyd.
September 2020: Investor and Advisor for DraftKings
In September 2020, Michael Jordan became an investor and advisor for DraftKings.
September 21, 2020: Announces NASCAR Cup Series Team
On September 21, 2020, Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin announced they would field a NASCAR Cup Series team with Bubba Wallace driving, beginning competition in the 2021 season.
February 2021: Funding of Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics
In February 2021, Michael Jordan funded two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics in New Hanover County, North Carolina, by giving $10 million.
2021: 23XI Racing Begins Competition
In 2021, 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, began competing in the NASCAR Cup Series with Bubba Wallace as the driver.
2022: 23XI Racing Adds Second Car
In 2022, 23XI Racing added a second car, No. 45, driven by Kurt Busch, later replaced by Tyler Reddick in 2023.
2023: 23XI Racing Fields Third Car, Reddick Wins Championship
In 2023, 23XI Racing fielded a third car, No. 67, at the Daytona 500 and Tyler Reddick won the NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship in 2024, marking the team's first.
2023: $10 Million Donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation
In 2023, Michael Jordan donated $10 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for his 60th birthday.
2023: Selling Majority Stake in Hornets
In 2023, Michael Jordan sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets, ending his tenure as the team's primary owner.
2024: Opening of Novant Health Clinic
In 2024, Michael Jordan funded the opening of another Novant Health Clinic in Wilmington.
2025: Adjusted Divorce Settlement Value
In 2025, the value of Juanita Vanoy's divorce settlement from 2006 was adjusted to $268 million due to inflation.
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