Реферат: Michael Jordan Essay Research Paper A The

that basketball was his best sport, and he set a goal: to earn a college basketball

scholarship. By his senior year at Laney High, Michael had grown to 6′ 5″. He

graduated with a B+ average. On the court, he averaged 27.8 points per game as a

senior. Michael achieved his goal: He earned a college basketball scholarship to the

University of North Carolina.

Michael Jordan at North Carolina

Michael wasn’t expected to become a star at the University of North Carolina

(UNC). His coaches thought he had a chance to be a good player, but not a great

one. In his first practice game, all doubts about Michael’s talent quickly

disappeared. Michael made an eye-popping dunk that had the whole team, and

coaching staff in awe. Head coach Dean Smith later put Michael in the starting

lineup at guard. It was a special honor, because only three freshmen had ever started

for Coach Smith at North Carolina. Michael averaged 13.5 points per game and

was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Year. The Tar

Heels made it back to the NCAA championship game. They faced the Georgetown

University Hoyas, who were led by seven-foot center Patrick Ewing. The game was

played on March 29, 1982, in the Superdome, in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was an

exciting contest that wasn?t decided until the final seconds. UNC was trailing,

62-61, with 15 seconds left to play. As would happen many times later in his career,

Michael had the ball with the game on the line. The freshmen coolly launched a

17-foot jump shot. It went in! UNC won, 63-62, to earn its first national title in 25

years. “The Shot” made Michael famous among college basketball fans.

In Michael?s sophomore and junior seasons, Michael led the NCAA in

scoring, and was also named college player of the year. Shortly after his junior

season, Michael had a big decision to make: Should he leave college before

graduation and turn pro? Michael?s mom wanted him to stay in school. Michael

argued that playing another season of college basketball would not challenge him,

and that becoming a pro would mean his family wouldn?t have to worry about

money. On May 5, 1984, Michael announced that he would forgo his senior year