Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963) is a retired American professional basketball player and active businessman. He is widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time, and was among the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation. Jordan was instrumental in popularizing the National Basketball Association (NBA) around the world in the 1980s and 1990s. After a stand-out career at the University of North Carolina, Jordan joined the nba’s Chicago Bulls in 1984. He quickly emerged as one of the stars of the league, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring. His leaping ability, illustrated by performing slam dunks from the free throw line at Slam Dunk Contests, earned him the nicknames “Air Jordan” and “His Airness”. He also gained a reputation as one of the best defensive players in basketball. In 1991, he won his first NBA championship with the Bulls, and followed that achievement with titles in 1992 and 1993, securing a “three-peat”. Though Jordan abruptly left the NBA in October 1993 to pursue a career in baseball, he rejoined the Bulls in 1995 and led them to three additional championships (1996, 1997, and 1998). His 1995–96 Bulls team won an NBA-record 72 regular-season games. Jordan retired for a second time in 1999, but he returned for two more NBA seasons as a member of the Washington Wizards. Jordan’s individual accolades and accomplishments include five NBA MVP (Most Valuable Player) awards, ten All-NBA First Team designations …