College


When Michael got to Chapel Hill he was quickly accepted by the team and the coaches, Nobody had heard the name Jordan until his first game when he was introduced on the starting lineup, as a freshman. Fans of North Carolina knew immediately they were going to see greatness because Dean Smith, the head coach, was never a supporter of putting freshman on the court. He believed that players should mature and get in tune with the program before the idea of playing time was a factor. For Michael Jordan, this did effect Coach Smith's decision. The fans were awestruck when they heard his name for the first time but soon were mezmorized by his play on the court.

As his freshman year went on they dominated NCAA basketball. He was instrumental in the Tar Heels' run to the 1982 National Championshipl, averaging 13.5 points per game. When they entered the tournament the run continued. It wasnt until the title game against Patrick Ewing and Georgetown that Michael had his first breakout game. The Hoyas led, 62-61 with 32 seconds left in the game. After a timeout, Michael Jordan took a pass from teammate Jimmy Black, and pivoted to take a 16-foot jump shot that went through the basket with 15 seconds remaining. The Tar Heels would take home the national championship with a 63-62 win. After Jordan's game-winning basket, UNC assistant coach Eddie Fogler said, "The kid doesn't even realize it yet, but he's part of history now. People will remember that shot 25 years from now."

Although he wouldn't win another National Championship while at North Carolina, Jordan had a storybook college career. He was named an All-American in both his sophomore and junior seasons, and was the College Player of the Year after his junior campaign. He averaged 17.7 points per game over his college career with North Carolina. He then enters the next chapter of his revolution, the NBA.