Michael Jordan’s son quitting basketball
Jeff Jordan (Illinois)
I always wondered what would happen when Michael Jordan‘s oldest son, University of Illinois sophomore Jeff Jordan, finished his college career and had a chance to play pro ball.
Unless the Bulls or Bobcats bailed him out with a late second round pick in the 2011 Draft, he wasn’t going straight to the NBA. He’d probably get a nepotistic spot on somebody’s summer-league squad, but what about after that? Would a kid who probably doesn’t have to work a day in his life — but has a cushy job waiting for him at Jordan Brand or Nike or UNC if he wants it — embark on that hard road to the League? Would he scour the globe for roster spots in Italy and Russia and Japan? Would he endure the one-bedroom apartments and small towns of the D-League? If the NBA wasn’t a reality, when would he eventually give it up?
As it turns out, sooner than I thought. Jeff Jordan said today that he’s not playing ball at Illinois anymore, and will instead focus on “life after basketball” and just being a student. Although he had scholarship offers from smaller colleges coming out of high school powerhouse Loyola Academy (Ill.), Jordan walked on at Illinois, where he scored a total of 58 points and 42 assists in 59 appearances. As a sophomore he averaged a little more than eight minutes per game.
Mike’s younger son, Marcus Jordan, just finished his senior year of high school and will be playing at Central Florida next season. Marcus is a 6-3 guard and is widely considered a better prospect than his older brother.
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June 24th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
BNZA says:
Go Marcus.
June 24th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Kermit the Washington says:
Every time I see these cats, I feel DUMB old. I remember watching “Come Fly With Me” and videos like that…these kids weren’t even BORN yet. Wow.
June 24th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
KAKEJELLY says:
has he tried baseball or golf?
June 24th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Diego says:
MJ should have hooked up with a taller woman.
June 24th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Sweet English says:
LOL @ 3, I think the real question is, did MICHEAL ever actually try baseball?
Has he got Buggs Bunnys number?
June 24th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
LB says:
Marcus Jordan should have walked on too, even if he did have legit scohlarship ability, so his coach could give a scohlarship to another quality player. It’s not like Marcus Jordan is hurting for money.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Jason says:
@ Sweet English: MJ worked his ass off when he made the switch to baseball. He was the first guy to show up for workouts, and the last guy to leave. He would take BP until his hands were bleeding, then keep on going. I doubt his teammates learned much about baseball from him, but they did see his work ethic and his relentless effort to improve, and I’m sure that rubbed off on them.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
mamba says:
I would feel bad for him, then I realize his father is still the 2nd most paid athlete according to Forbes even years after he retired…..then I say FML.
June 25th, 2009 at 12:18 am
My Rant says:
How many illegitimate kids you think MJ has?
June 25th, 2009 at 9:02 am
shake&bake says:
HE’s got a movie career ahead of him, he was a star in Space Jam.