Most Jordan fans know the story of his not making the cut in his sophomore year in high school. By his senior year he was an All-American. He also committed to attend the University of North Carolina.
As a freshman at UNC, Jordan was not understood to be a great recruit. However his skills, determination, and hard work quickly won him a spot in the starting five on a team that featured James Worthy, Sam Perkins and Matt Doherty.
Jordan's first season with the Tar Heels, indeed his 3-year college career, was capped with the final jumper giving UNC a 63-62 win in the NCAA finals over Georgetown.
As a sophomore, Jordan's offensive output leaped and his defense became a key tool unleashed on unsuspecting foes. His oncourt leadership skills were also strengthened. Though UNC was knocked out of the NCAA tournament early in a surprise loss to Georgia, Jordan was now firmly established as one of the premier college players in the country.
Though he would be denied the NCAA title again, Jordan's game and public stature continued to soar in his junior year as he led UNC to an undefeated conference record. The ousting from the NCAA tournament dealt by Indiana saw the end of Jordan's college career.