When Did Michael Jordan Start Playing Basketball?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 04, 2023

Michael Jordan began playing basketball officially when he tried out for his high school varsity team. He was cut from the team, however, because he was too short and did not have the needed skills.

Jordan initially loved playing baseball, which his father also loved. He began playing basketball to follow in his brother Larry’s footsteps. The summer after Jordan’s sophomore year in high school, he grew 4 inches and practiced his basketball skills. He joined the varsity team his junior year, averaged 25 points per game during his junior and senior years and was named to the McDonald’s All American Team as a senior. From there, he went to North Carolina University on a basketball scholarship.