Chapter 3: First ever TV appearance

THE EVOLUTION OF MICHAEL JORDAN INDEX

Last chapter: Love and basketball

Michael's yearbook page

Path to UNC

Michael Jordan was not a top prospect during high school. He was putting up big numbers, but his team struggled to win games and did not receive much recognition. The person who eventually spotted Michael was Roy Williams, who was Dean Smith’s assistant at the time at North Carolina. Michael was given an invitation to Smith’s camp, along with over 400 other players hoping for a basketball scholarship.

Michael made a big impression on Smith at camp with his raw athletic ability and was asked to join the team. Michael  decided to commit to UNC before his senior year of high school so that he could focus on playing basketball. During his last season at Laney high school, Jordan averaged 27.8 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists a game.

Michael enrolled in UNC as a cultural geography major and became a member of Omega Psi Phi. During his rookie year, Michael averaged 13.4 points per game and was named the ACC freshman of the year.

Here is a rare clip of Michael Jordan’s first televised game as a freshman at North Carolina.

Even as a freshman coming off the bench it was clear that Michael Jordan was someone special. Just listen to the way the announcers are calling the game. They were definitely not shy in their compliments on his game.

I wonder if they had any clue that he would eventually become the greatest basketball player ever…

Bonus clip:

Here is Jordan’s first ever game in Madison Square Garden, a place he would leave his mark on again and again later in his career.

If you were a NBA scout, where in the draft would you have chose Michael Jordan?

Next chapter: First game as a college starter

THE EVOLUTION OF MICHAEL JORDAN INDEX