Michael Jordan describes a turning point in his life: 'My principal told me to go to the Air Force Academy so I can get a job after school'

Originally posted on Basketball Network | By Adel Ahmad | Last updated Nov 29, 2024 9:55 AM ET

Michael Jordan didn’t just play basketball; he defined the sport for an entire generation. But what if the man regarded as the greatest player of all time had taken a different path? What if he’d listened to the advice of those who doubted his potential?

In his early years, Jordan’s journey was anything but certain, and his rise to basketball immortality hinged on one critical decision—trusting his instincts.

Making the decision

Growing up, MJ was talented but far from a prodigy. Rejected from his high school varsity team as a sophomore, he spent countless hours sharpening his skills, driven by an insatiable desire to prove himself.

This persistence culminated in one of the most iconic moments in college basketball history. On March 29, 1982, a young Mike, then a freshman at the University of North Carolina, sank the game-winning jumper against Georgetown in the NCAA Championship. That shot, taken with just 15 seconds left on the clock, lifted UNC to a 63-62 victory over the Hoyas. Jordan later described the moment as life-changing.

The first of many clutch shots for Michael Jordan, lifting @UNC_Basketball to the 1982 National Championship. pic.twitter.com/KasOzTjcAg
— ESPN (@espn) April 19, 2020

“I went into college my first year, 1981, and we won a National Championship, and I hit the shot to win it all,” Jordan said. “And from that point, it was like I overcame a lot of expectations. A lot of people didn’t feel that I could go to [a] Division 1 school and do so well; everyone was telling me; my principal told me to go to the Air Force Academy so that once I finish school, I get a job after the school.”

Loving the game

Michael’s journey wasn’t set in stone even after his championship moment. Unlike many basketball prodigies, he hadn’t always considered the game his calling. In fact, he entered college without fully committing to the idea of pursuing a career in sports. But the success of his freshman year changed everything.

“And I didn’t listen to him; as you can see, I just took on the challenge of going and trying to make things happen for myself. After that first year, I said, ‘Well, this may be something I can roll into a dream come true or just reach some of those ultimate goals of being a professional athlete,” said the Chicago Bulls icon.

By betting on himself, “His Airness” laid the foundation for a career that would redefine basketball. Over the next few years, his relentless work ethic, unmatched athleticism, and competitive spirit turned him into a force of nature.

24 years ago today, Michael Jordan gave us the "Flu Game."

Stuart Scott's highlight will always be pic.twitter.com/ZP2tYdjKNP
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 11, 2021

From there, he became the face of the NBA, collecting six NBA championships, five league MVPs, ten scoring titles, and countless unforgettable moments for the Bulls that led to his final shot over Utah Jazz’s Bryon Russell to clinch the 1998 championship.

This article first appeared on Basketball Network and was syndicated with permission.

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