How Many Years Jordan Played in the NBA?

How many years did Jordan play in the NBA? This question is often asked by fans of the basketball legend, and the answer may surprise you.

Introduction

Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He played in the NBA for 15 seasons, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls. But how many years did Jordan actually spend in the NBA?

The answer is a bit complicated. Jordan originally retired from basketball in 1993, after winning his third championship with the Bulls. He then embarked on a career in professional baseball, playing for the minor league Birmingham Barons. However, he returned to the NBA in 1995 and went on to win three more championships with the Bulls.

In total, Jordan spent 13 years playing in the NBA. However, he took two brief hiatus from the league, meaning that he technically played for 15 seasons. Jordan remains one of the most popular and iconic athletes in history, and his legacy continue to grow long after his retirement from basketball.

Jordan’s Early Life and Education

Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 17, 1963. He was the fourth of five children born to James and Deloris Jordan. His father worked as a equipment supervisor for an electric company, while his mother was a stay-at-home mom. Jordan has two older brothers (Larry and James R. Jordan) and two younger sisters (Deloris and Roslyn). When he was just a toddler, Jordan’s family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina.

Jordan attended Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington, where he became one of the state’s top recruits in basketball. In 1981, he accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a freshman at UNC, Jordan quickly made a name for himself as one of the best players in college basketball. He helped lead the Tar Heels to the NCAA Championship in 1982, earning the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player Award in the process.

Jordan’s NBA Career

Jordan played a total of fifteen years in the NBA. He was drafted into the NBA in 1984 and played his first game in the 1985 season. He played on the Chicago Bulls from 1985 to 1998. In 1999, he retired from the NBA but came back in 2001 to play for the Washington Wizards. He played two more seasons before finally retiring for good in 2003.

Chicago Bulls (1984-1998)

Michael Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. He quickly emerged as one of the league’s premier players and led the Bulls to six NBA Championships during his time with the team. Jordan was a two-time NBA Finals MVP, a five-time NBA MVP, and a nine-time NBA All-Star during his time with the Bulls. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Washington Wizards (2001-2003)

In 2001, at the age of 38, Jordan announced his second retirement, saying he no longer had the passion to play the game. At the time, he was the Wizards’ president of basketball operations as well as head coach. In his two seasons as head coach, Jordan led Washington to a record of 45-37 (.549), qualifying for the playoffs both times. He became the first former player to win Coach of the Year honors, doing so in 2003.

In September 2001, Jordan announced that he would return to play for the Washington Wizards. In his two years with Washington, he averaged 22.9 points per game (ppg), 5.7 rebounds per game (rpg) and 5.2 assists per game (apg). He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2009.

Jordan’s Post-NBA Career

After his second retirement from the NBA in 1998, Jordan became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the NBA’s Washington Wizards franchise in January 2000. As a player, he was known for his quickness, prowess on defense, and physical shape which garnered him the nickname “Air Jordan”.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Michael Jordan played a total of 15 seasons in the NBA, including his time with the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time.