Michael Jordan, the one and only GOAT in NBA history, still leads the record books. Some of the new generation argues that their NBA legend, LeBron James, should be ranked above Jordan. But honestly, Jordan’s six NBA championships, five MVPs, and perfect 6-0 Finals record make him the ultimate winner.
Many new-gen fans see LeBron as the greatest because he holds the most points in the history of the NBA. Recently, Jordan’s former agent, David Falk, reignited the debate by saying that if Jordan had “cherry-picked” his teams like LeBron, he could have won 15 championships. Meanwhile, LeBron keeps breaking records, becoming the oldest player ever to make an All-NBA team at age 40.
LeBron is still making history, but Jordan’s impact was unmatched, considering the conditions of the teams he led. So here, we will revisit his college career, where he first showcased his caliber as the future NBA GOAT.
Jordan’s Early Days at North Carolina
Jordan’s journey to greatness began in 1981 when he joined the University of North Carolina. Under legendary coach Dean Smith, he made history by becoming the fourth freshman to start his first game for the Tar Heels. That early opportunity showed just how much potential he had.
In his first season, MJ averaged 13.5 points per game. He quickly became a vital part of the team. His talent stood out, and people began to take notice. As the seasons went on, he kept getting better.
During his three years at UNC, the Tar Heels built a strong record of 88 wins and just 13 losses. Most of the credit rightfully goes to the Bulls legend, as he consistently delivered in the moments that mattered most, proving to be an exceptional and clutch performer.\
The 1982 NCAA Championship Was Jordan’s First Iconic Moment—Even Before the Term ‘March Madness’ Existed
His most significant college moment came during the 1982 NCAA Championship Game against Georgetown. The game was close and intense. With only 15 seconds left, Jordan made the game-winning shot. That basket gave North Carolina a 63-62 victory and their second national title. More than just a win, it showed that Jordan could perform under pressure like very few could.
Michael Jordan never lost when it mattered the most in his ENTIRE career: 🧐
1-0 NCAA Championships
2-0 Olympic Gold Medals
2-0 FIBA Gold Medals
6-0 NBA Championships
11-0 Total ChampionshipsThere’s always been levels to this. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5xrFaH2Wg2
— NBA Strife ツ (@strifeomg) March 30, 2025
Today, we call this time of year “March Madness,” when college basketball heats up with excitement and drama. But Jordan’s incredible shot happened before the term became popular. This moment proved that even before March Madness was a known phrase, MJ was already setting the standard for how college players should shine on the big stage.
Michael Jordan’s Most Important College Achievements and Legacy
From that point on, the Hall of Famer continued to dominate. In 1983, he was named NCAA College Player of the Year, which highlighted how much he had grown and how dominant he was on the court. Jordan’s skill and leadership set him apart when he left UNC after the 1983-84 season.
You may be surprised he wasn’t considered the top scorer before college. During high school, he ranked fourth in a top-100 list by Knoxville reporter Ken Mink. Despite that, he declared for the 1984 NBA Draft and was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls.
KEEP READING: Patrick Ewing vs. Akeem Olajuwon: Revisiting the 1984 NCAA Championship Game Duel
And then, his dominance in the NBA with the Bulls jersey reached another level, as he led the team to six NBA championship titles in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998, securing two separate three-peats.
However, today’s focus in this piece is solely on his college career as an NCAA champion, aiming to cover most aspects of that period. Again, remember that he made headlines before the term “March Madness” became widely associated with the NCAA tournament. He was incredible during his three years at UNC, dominating as if he were already playing professionally.
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