The Impact of Michael Jordan

December 21, 1891- The birth of basketball. It has been changed from simply shooting a soccer ball into a peach basket to dunking a seven pound, leather ball into an iron rim. In the early years of the game, basketball was not as popular as other sports. In the 1985 NBA draft all this would change with the emergence of a 6'6" basketball phenomenon from Wilmington, North Carolina. Although going third in the draft, he recreated the game and is known as the best player to ever touch a basketball; he is Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York. Jordan's family moved to moved to Wilmington, North Carolina while he was young along with his three siblings. He attended Ogden Elementary School, and later Trask Junior High School. Jordan attended Emsley A. Laney High School, where he anchored his athletic career by playing baseball, football, and basketball ("Michael Jordan" Wikipedia). When jordan was twelve, he played with his local baseball team called the Babe Ruth All-stars. Jordan helped his team win there championship (Mattern 79). As A freshman at Laney, Jordan was cut from the varsity team and was reduced to playin junior varsity. His sophmore year he was cut from the varsity team once again, but this time, his best friend Leroy Smith, made the team. When Michael found out he did not make the team, he said:

I went through the day numb. After school, I hurried home, closed the door to

my room and cried so hard. It was all I wanted--to play on that team…… It's

probably good that it happened. It made me know what disappointment felt

like. And I knew that I didn't want that feeling ever again

("Michael Jordan").

During the summer before his junior year, Jordan attended ca...

... middle of paper ...

...retirement, feeling that he had nothing else to accomplish. "This would not be the last time Jordan would see the hardwood ("Michael Jordan")." On September 25, 2001, Jordan announced his second comeback This seasons was ended early due to injuries that Jordan had to cope with. In the 2002-03 season, Jordan was the only Washington player to play in all 82 games and started in 67 of them. Michael played his final NBA game in Philadelphia, on April 16 2003. Michael would retire for the last time ("Michael Jordan" Wikipedia).

Jordan foerver change the way basketball has been played. He accopmplished feats many athletes had never dreamed of attempting. Even though Michael is finished playing basketball on the profesional level, he still involved with the game. He hold camps for young aspiring basketball players. He also is part owner of the Charolette Bobcats.