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Michael Jordan Then & Now: Photos Of The Basketball Legend From His College Days & On

By:
February 17, 2023 11:08AM EST

We all know Michael Jordan is the ‘Greatest of all time.’ Check out how he rose from a star college athlete to a billionaire sports mogul in our photo gallery here.

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Michael Jordan: Then & Now

Michael Jordan: Then & Now
Marty Lederhandler/AP/Shuttersto

Michael Jordan is a former professional basketball player, widely considered the greatest of all time. He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and was known for his scoring ability and defense, earning him the nicknames “Air Jordan” and “His Airness”. The athlete also played for the United States national team, winning four gold medals.

Off the court, Michael is a successful businessman, worth an estimated $1.7m. In the sports biz, he’s the principal owner and chairman of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, as well as a NASCAR team. Michael basically invented modern product endorsements, namely, his signature line of sneakers with Nike. No stranger to some screentime, Michael appeared in the animated romp Space Jam (1996) and the documentary miniseries The Last Dance (2020). In 2016, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.

Who could have thought back in 1994 that young MJ would become the Greatest Of All Time. He beamed after being named the winner of the Eastman Award, for the nation’s top male collegiate basketball player in 1984. His career would only get bigger and bolder from that moment on.

Ready for more photos of Michael Jordan, from his young college days to his worldwide superstar status today? Check out all his best pics in our gallery here.

February 16, 2023, 3:16PM
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Michael Jordan At Chapel Hill

Michael Jordan At Chapel Hill
Robert Willett/AP/Shutterstock

All-star! People knew Michael Jordan was one to watch when he was just a guard at University of North Carolina. Here, he’s seen against the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

February 16, 2023, 3:16PM
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‘Space Jam’

‘Space Jam’
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett C

‘Toon town! One of Michael Jordan’s big crossover moments was as the star of the 1996 movie Space Jam. The film grossed $250m at worldwide box offices and became a cult classic for 90s kids.

February 16, 2023, 3:16PM
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Michael Jordan & Bugs Bunny In 1995

Michael Jordan & Bugs Bunny In 1995
Marty Ledrhandler/AP/Shutterstoc

Cozy co-stars! Michael Jordan was one of the only humans in Space Jam, along with Bill Murray and fellow NBA alums Charles Barkley, Muggsy Bogues, Shawn Bradley, Patrick Ewing and Larry Johnson.

February 16, 2023, 3:16PM
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‘Space Jam’

‘Space Jam’
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett C

Drama! It’s still not clear how much Michael Jordan made for his role in the cartoon mashup. Nearly three decades later, fellow NBA god LeBron James would star in the sequel, Space Jam: A New Legacy.

February 16, 2023, 3:16PM
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Michael Jordan In 1996

Michael Jordan In 1996
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett C

Michael Jordan was balancing pre-season training and filming when Space Jam was shot. He’s seen in 1996, promoting the movie.

February 16, 2023, 3:16PM
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Michael Jordan’s 1997 MVP Trophy

Michael Jordan’s 1997 MVP Trophy
Jay Crihfield/AP/Shutterstock

Michael Jordan earned the NBA’s MVP trophy a whopping six times over his 15-season pro career. Here, he’s seen getting the trophy from the Boston Celtics’ Bill Russell in 1996.

February 16, 2023, 3:16PM
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Michael Jordan In Taiwan

Michael Jordan In Taiwan
Jerome Favre/AP/Shutterstock

Michael Jordan is an icon accross the globe. Fans were thrilled when he stopped by Taipei, Taiwan to promote his sportswear brand.

February 16, 2023, 3:16PM
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Michael Jordan In 2009

Michael Jordan In 2009
Stephan Savoia/AP/Shutterstock

Michael Jordan speaks during his enshrinement ceremony into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Sep. 2009. He was truly touched by the lifetime achievement from the league.

February 16, 2023, 3:16PM
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Michael Jordan At The Bobcats vs Knicks In 2008

Michael Jordan At The Bobcats vs Knicks In 2008
John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock

Michael Jordan waved to a stadium full of fans while the New York Knicks played the Charlotte Bobcats at New York’s Madison Square Garden on November 5, 2008. He made sure to acknowledge the crowd, but his mind was on the game.

February 16, 2023, 3:16PM