Michael Jordan leaps from the free-throw line for a perfect-score dunk in the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. A prolific dunker throughout his career due to his tremendous leaping ability, Jordan won back-to-back dunk contests in 1987 and '88.
Michael Jordan pulls down a rebound in an ACC game against Virginia in January 1982. He scored 13.5 points per game that season as a freshman.
Michael Jordan plays aggressive defense against Duke's Tommy Amaker in a 1984 ACC Tournament semifinal. North Carolina entered the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 1 in the nation, but Indiana upset the Tar Heels in the Sweet 16.
Michael Jordan rubs the head of Sam Perkins for a portrait in November 1983. The Tar Heels went undefeated in the ACC during the regular season but lost in the ACC Tournament and was upset in the Sweet 16 by Indiana.
Michael Jordan dances to Lionel Richie's "All Night Long" in his dorm room in November 1983. North Carolina entered the 1983-84 season ranked No. 1 in the nation, earning Jordan his first SI cover appearance and photo shoot.
To tune up for his first Olympics, Michael Jordan competes for Team USA against a team of NBA All-Stars in 1984. Although the games against the NBA players were incredibly physical and left the Olympians bruised and battered, the move paid off when the Americans went 8-0 at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics en route to a gold medal.
Michael Jordan drives a bumper car against Bulls teammates Rod Higgins and Orlando Woolridge at an amusement park in Phoenix in November 1984.
Michael Jordan tries to drive through traffic against Washington in January 1985. After averaging 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.4 steals, Jordan was named Rookie of the Year and selected for the All-Star Game, the first of his 14 selections.
Young autograph seekers surround Michael Jordan at a basketball camp in March 1987. With his on-court success and successful off-court marketing, Jordan quickly became one of the NBA's biggest stars.
Michael Jordan fakes on a drive against the Los Angeles Lakers in February 1988. Jordan won his first MVP Award that season, averaging 35.0 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks. Those final two stats helped Jordan claim Defensive Player of the Year.
Members of the Dream Team Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley hold up Olympic rings for a portrait in February 1991.
Michael Jordan soars for a dunk in Game 3 of the 1991 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Jordan scored 46 of Chicago's 97 points in the Bulls only loss of the series against the 76ers en route to another championship.
Michael Jordan smiles after bringing home the first NBA title of his career in 1991. After losing to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals the two years prior, the Bulls swept Detroit and then defeated the Lakers in five games for the first championship in franchise history. He cried after receiving the trophy.
Michael Jordan and Horace Grant helped up Scottie Pippen in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 1992. The Bulls needed all seven games to get past the Knicks, dominating New York 110-81 in the final game.
Michael Jordan enjoys his other passion, playing a round of golf. Jordan had a great love for the sport that occasionally got him in trouble, such as when instances of his high-stakes gambling arose in 1992 and 1993.
Michael Jordan receives the Maurice Podoloff Trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern before Game 2 of the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals. In his first full season back from his first retirement, Jordan won his fourth MVP Award, leading the league with 30.4 points per game.
Michael Jordan encourages his Wizards team from the bench against the Miami Heat in a preseason game in October 2001. Jordan announced his return to the floor on Sept. 25, just a month before the start of the regular season.
Michael Jordan poses for a portrait in 2008, five years after he retired from his playing career for good.