Michael Jordan's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Michael Jordan. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Michael Jordan, often known as MJ, is a businessman and former professional basketball and baseball player. Dominating the NBA from 1984-2003, he secured six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players ever. He played a key role in globally popularizing the sport and the NBA in the 80s and 90s, becoming a global icon. As of 2025, he is also the world's richest athlete.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1976: Jordan one of only two players since ABA–NBA merger to win six NBA Finals playing for one team

Since 1976, the year of the ABA–NBA merger, Jordan and Pippen are the only two players to win six NBA Finals playing for one team.

1981: McDonald's All-American Game Selection

As a senior, Michael Jordan was selected for the 1981 McDonald's All-American Game, where he scored 30 points.

1982: Game-Winning Shot

In 1982, as a freshman, Michael Jordan made the game-winning jump shot in the NCAA Championship game against Georgetown, which he later described as a major turning point in his basketball career.

1982: National Championship

In 1982, as a freshman, Michael Jordan was a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels' national championship team.

1983: Jordan Debuts for U.S. National Team, Wins Gold

In 1983, Michael Jordan made his debut as a college player for the U.S. national basketball team at the Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela, leading the team in scoring and winning the gold medal.

1983: NCAA All-American First Team

In 1983, Michael Jordan was selected by consensus to the NCAA All-American First Team in his sophomore season.

1983: Pan American Games Gold Medal

In 1983, Michael Jordan was selected to play for the United States national team and won a gold medal at the Pan American Games.

1984: Jordan Wins Olympic Gold Medal

In 1984, Michael Jordan won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics.

1984: Jordan Wins Gold in 1984

Michael Jordan won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. men's basketball team in 1984.

April 20, 1986: Jordan Scores 63 Points Against Boston Celtics

On April 20, 1986, Michael Jordan established a single game playoff record of 63 points against the Boston Celtics, leading Larry Bird to describe him as "God disguised as Michael Jordan".

1986: Jordan Played Full Season

From 1986-87 to 2001-02, Jordan did not miss four or more games while active for a full season.

1986: Recovery from Foot Injury

Michael Jordan completely recovered in time for the 1986–87 season after breaking his foot in the third game of the 1985-86 season.

1987: Scoring Title

During the 1987–88 season, Michael Jordan led the league in scoring, averaging 35.0 ppg and was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

1987: Jordan Wins Slam Dunk Contest

In 1987, Michael Jordan won one of his back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest championships.

1988: Jordan Wins Defensive Player of the Year and MVP

In 1988, Michael Jordan was honored with both the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards.

1988: Jordan Wins Slam Dunk Contest

In 1988, Michael Jordan won one of his back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest championships.

1988: Led League in Scoring

In the 1988–89 season, Michael Jordan again led the league in scoring, averaging 32.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting from the field, along with 8.0 rpg and 8.0 apg.

1990: Second MVP award

In 1990, Michael Jordan won his second MVP award with averages of 31.5 points per game on 53.9% shooting, 6.0 rebounds per game, and 5.5 assists per game. The Bulls finished first in their division for the first time in sixteen years and set a franchise record with 61 regular season wins.

1991: Continued dominance and second consecutive MVP award

In 1991, Michael Jordan and the Bulls achieved a 67–15 record, surpassing their franchise record from the 1990–91 season. Jordan also secured his second consecutive MVP award, averaging 30.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game with a 52% shooting accuracy.

1991: First NBA Title

In 1991, Michael Jordan won his first NBA title with the Chicago Bulls.

1992: Second NBA Title

In 1992, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won their second NBA title.

1992: Jordan Wins Gold with the "Dream Team"

In 1992, Michael Jordan was a member of the "Dream Team," which won gold in the Tournament of the Americas and the Summer Olympics.

1992: Olympics

In 1992, Michael Jordan was selected to play for the United States national team during his NBA career and won the Tournament of the Americas and Summer Olympics gold medals—while also being undefeated.

1992: Jordan Wins Gold in 1992

Michael Jordan won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. men's basketball team in 1992.

1993: Third NBA Championship and Finals MVP Award

In 1993, Michael Jordan and the Bulls won their third NBA championship against Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns. Jordan averaged a Finals-record 41.0 points per game during the six-game series and became the first player in NBA history to win three consecutive Finals MVP awards.

1993: Third NBA Title and First Retirement

In 1993, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won their third consecutive NBA title, completing a three-peat. Jordan then abruptly retired before the 1993–94 NBA season to play Minor League Baseball.

November 1, 1994: Number Retired by the Bulls

On November 1, 1994, Michael Jordan's No. 23 was retired by the Bulls in a ceremony that included the erection of a permanent sculpture known as The Spirit outside the new United Center.

September 1996: Jordan Named Greatest Athlete of Past 50 Years

In the September 1996 issue of Sport, Michael Jordan was named the greatest athlete of the past 50 years.

1996: Fourth NBA Title and Record Wins

In 1996, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to their fourth NBA championship and a then-record 72 regular season wins.

1996: Jordan Named One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History

In 1996, Michael Jordan was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

1997: Fifth NBA Title

In 1997, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to their fifth NBA championship.

1997: "The Flu Game" and Fifth Finals MVP

In 1997, during Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, Michael Jordan, despite being feverish and dehydrated from a stomach virus (known as "The Flu Game"), scored 38 points, including the game-winning three-pointer. He also received his fifth Finals MVP award.

1997: Jordan secured his fifth regular season MVP award

In the 1997–98 season, Michael Jordan secured his fifth regular season MVP award, plus honors for All-NBA First Team, First Defensive Team, and the All-Star Game MVP.

1998: Sixth NBA Championship and Finals MVP Award

In 1998, Michael Jordan led the Bulls to their sixth NBA championship, defeating the Utah Jazz. Jordan was voted Finals MVP for a record sixth time, averaging 33.5 points per game, including 45 in the deciding Game 6.

1998: Sixth NBA Title

In 1998, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to their sixth NBA championship.

December 1999: Jordan Ranked Among Greatest Athletes of 20th Century

In December 1999, the Associated Press voted Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player of the 20th century and placed him second to Babe Ruth in its list of 20th century athletes.

1999: Greatest North American Athlete

In 1999, Michael Jordan was named the 20th century's greatest North American athlete by ESPN.

2002: Named Greatest Athlete in ACC History

In 2002, Michael Jordan was selected to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team and named the greatest athlete in ACC history.

2002: Tributes Paid to Jordan

In 2002-03, with the recognition that it would be Jordan's final season, tributes were paid to him throughout the NBA.

February 21, 2003: Jordan Tallies 43 Points at 40 Years Old

On February 21, 2003, Michael Jordan became the first 40-year-old to score 43 points in an NBA game, marking a significant achievement during his time with the Washington Wizards.

April 11, 2003: Miami Heat Retired Jordan's Jersey

On April 11, 2003, the Miami Heat retired Michael Jordan's No. 23 jersey, even though he never played for the team.

2008: Named Chief Wish Ambassador

In 2008, the Make-A-Wish Foundation named Michael Jordan its Chief Wish Ambassador.

August 2009: Michael Jordan Exhibit Opens at Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In August 2009, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opened a Michael Jordan exhibit.

September 2009: Jordan's Hall of Fame Induction Speech

In September 2009, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Hall of Fame, selecting David Thompson to present him. His emotional reaction during his speech when Jordan began to cry was captured by Associated Press photographer Stephan Savoia and would later go viral on social media as the "Crying Jordan" meme.

2009: Hall of Fame Induction (Individual)

In 2009, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career.

February 2010: Jordan Seeks Majority Ownership of Bobcats

In February 2010, it was reported that Michael Jordan was seeking majority ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats. On February 27, an agreement was reached with Johnson, pending NBA approval. On March 17, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved Jordan's purchase, making him the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA team, and the league's only African-American majority owner.

June 2010: Ranked as 20th-Most-Powerful Celebrity

In June 2010, Forbes ranked Michael Jordan as the 20th most powerful celebrity in the world, noting he earned $55 million between June 2009 and June 2010.

2010: Hall of Fame Induction (Dream Team)

In 2010, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, also known as "The Dream Team".

June 2014: Named First NBA Billionaire

In June 2014, Michael Jordan was named the first NBA player to become a billionaire after increasing his stake in the Charlotte Hornets.

2015: Highest Income for Retired Athlete

In 2015, Michael Jordan's income was estimated at $110 million from his Jordan Brand income and endorsements, the most of any retired athlete.

2016: Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded Michael Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2016: Jordan Honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2016, President Barack Obama honored Michael Jordan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2017: Highest Career Earnings

In 2017, Forbes designated Michael Jordan as the athlete with the highest career earnings.

October 2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In October 2021, Michael Jordan was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

2021: Jordan Selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Michael Jordan was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

December 2022: NBA Unveils New MVP Trophy Named in Jordan's Honor

In December 2022, the NBA unveiled a new MVP trophy, named in Michael Jordan's honor, to be awarded beginning with the 2022–23 season, replacing the original trophy named after Maurice Podoloff.