Michael Jordan

1994 Honoree

Gliding gracefully between opposing players, switching a basketball from hand to hand in mid-air, and scoring — that is the image Michael Jordan projected, via satellite, to places as far away as Germany and Japan. His amazing athletic feats thrilled and mystified millions of viewers and made him the first global superstar in basketball.

Players, coaches and sports writers generally agree that Jordan was the greatest player in the history of the game. As a freshman at the University of North Carolina, he led his team to a NCAA Basketball Championship in 1982 and was named "College Player of the Year" in 1983 and 1984. Selected by the Chicago Bulls in 1984, Jordan promptly proved that he was master of all aspects of the game and was chosen "Rookie of the Year" in 1985. Before his retirement in 1993, Jordan led his team to three consecutive NBA Championships.

In addition to being a phenomenal basketball player, Jordan also is a terrific human being. He personally made it possible for several young people with disabilities to attend most of the Bulls' home games. He channeled other charitable efforts through the Michael Jordan Foundation which he co-founded with his mother, Deloris Jordan. Michael Jordan's wife, Juanita, is a member of the foundation's board of directors, as was his father, James Jordan.

Their foundation is dedicated to encouraging children and youth "who have been sidelined by life" to reach their goals. Nationally, the foundation awards more than 40 grants per year to various charitable organizations.

Jordan also owns a clothing company, Jordan/Silverberg, and a restaurant, Jordan's in Chicago. Several books written about Michael Jordan are Hang Time, Taking to the Air and his autobiography, Rare Air.