Sports fans all over the world recognize the name of Michael Jordan. From Hong Kong to Tennessee, kids wear clothes with his picture on them. Jerseys with his number 23 on the front, jackets with the Bulls logo on the back, and Air Jordan athletic shoes all reflect the fame of this superstar. Michael Jordan has become the most famous attraction of the world's favorite spectator sport.

Michael Jordan was born in 1963 in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up , Michael did not look like a future superstar. He was very shy and didn't like to talk to other people about himself. He was also very short. He showed little promise of having a future career in basketball. When he tried out for the freshman team in high school, Michael didn't make it. The next year, however, after a large growth spurt, he made the team. The rest is history.

Michael's road to fame began at the University of North Carolina.He brought an acrobatic style to the game that few had seen before. Michael used his quickness and strength to reach the basket again and again. He became famous for his powerful slam dunk. Basketball fans from all over the world began to take notice. One reporter wrote that when Michael went up to dunk the basketball, it looked like he could fly. He was given the nickname, "Air Jordan."