Michael Jordan Trivia Questions

He hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 title game as a freshman, a fact often overshadowed by his pro career.

Jordan went 6-0 in NBA Finals appearances with the Chicago Bulls, winning all six championships without a Finals loss.

Michael Jordan became majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats in 2010 and rebranded the team as the Charlotte Hornets in 2014, reclaiming the name from New Orleans.

Jordan went 6-0 in NBA Finals appearances with the Chicago Bulls (1991-1993, 1996-1998). He also won Finals MVP every time.

He started for UNC as a freshman and hit the game-winning jumper in the 1982 NCAA championship against Georgetown.

In the 1997 Finals Game 5, Jordan played despite severe flu-like symptoms, scoring 38 points, including a crucial three-pointer.

The Rockets drafted Hakeem Olajuwon first overall; Jordan was selected third by the Chicago Bulls.

Jordan played his freshman season in 1981–82 and hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA title game against Georgetown, securing the championship.

Wilt Chamberlain holds the NBA record with 100 points; Jordan's career high was 69. This myth often gets confused with his scoring prowess.

He played minor league baseball for the Chicago White Sox affiliate in 1994, a well-known detour between his first two NBA retirements.

Jordan won all six NBA Finals he played in with the Chicago Bulls (1991-1993, 1996-1998), never needing a Game 7 in any of them.

Jordan has a well-documented history of gambling, including high-stakes golf bets and a $57,000 check to a convicted drug dealer, which he initially lied about. He admitted to 'poor judgment.'

He was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls, after Hakeem Olajuwon (1st) and Sam Bowie (2nd).

Michael Jordan was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls, after Hakeem Olajuwon (first) and Sam Bowie (second), making the statement true.

Jordan went 6-0 in NBA Finals appearances with the Chicago Bulls, winning Finals MVP each time, a perfect record unmatched in league history.

He was a key member of the 1992 U.S. men's basketball team that dominated Barcelona, winning gold with an 8-0 record.

Jordan spent 13 seasons with the Bulls (1984–93, 1995–98) and two with the Wizards (2001–03). He never played for another franchise.

He was cut from Laney High School's varsity team but used it as motivation, becoming a star the following year.

The Bulls drafted Jordan third overall, after Hakeem Olajuwon (1st) and Sam Bowie (2nd).

At age 21, Jordan led the U.S. men's basketball team to gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics while still at the University of North Carolina.

No NBA player has scored 100 points in a game since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962. Michael Jordan's career high is 69 points.

He hit the game-winning jumper against Georgetown in the 1982 NCAA title game, his only college championship.

Michael Jordan was selected third overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. Hakeem Olajuwon went first to Houston and Sam Bowie second to Portland.

True. As a freshman, Jordan hit the go-ahead jumper with 17 seconds left to beat Georgetown for the national title.

Michael Jordan was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1984 NBA draft.

He played for the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls, both U.S. teams, so this is true.

He lost in the playoffs several times before winning his first title, including early exits in 1985, 1986, and 1987.

He was picked after Hakeem Olajuwon (1st) and Sam Bowie (2nd). This is a well-known fact but often surprises casual fans.

The Rockets took Olajuwon first, the Trail Blazers took Bowie second. Portland famously passed on Jordan, later calling it one of the worst draft mistakes ever.

His first title came in 1991, his seventh season, after years of playoff losses to the Pistons and Celtics.

After his first retirement in 1993, he played for the Birmingham Barons, a White Sox AA affiliate, in 1994.

Hakeem Olajuwon went first to Houston, Sam Bowie second to Portland—a famously missed pick.

He signed a 7-year, $6 million contract in 1984, averaging about $857,000 per season.

The 'Flu Game' (1997 Finals Game 5) is legendary, but Jordan actually had food poisoning, not the flu. He scored 38 points, not 30.

After returning from his first retirement, Jordan lost to the Orlando Magic in the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals. He later won three more titles.

He played for the Wizards from 2001 to 2003 after his second retirement. It's a common myth that he only owned the team.

Jordan earned nine NBA All-Defensive First Team selections, exemplifying two-way play. He later signed with the Chicago White Sox and played for their AA affiliate, the Birmingham Barons, in 1994.

Michael Jordan played for the Birmingham Barons, a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, not the Cubs.

Jordan played for the Birmingham Barons in 1994 but struck out 114 times in 436 at-bats. He hit .202 with 3 home runs.

At Laney High in Wilmington, NC, Jordan was cut from the varsity team in 1978. He used this as motivation to become the best player ever.

On April 20, 1986, Michael Jordan scored 63 points in a playoff game against the Celtics, which remains the highest single-game point total in NBA playoff history.

Michael Jordan scored a career-high 69 points for the Chicago Bulls against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 28, 1990. This remains his personal best single-game scoring output.

Michael Jordan played only one season of minor league baseball in 1994, splitting time between the Birmingham Barons and Scottsdale Scorpions. He did not play a second season, returning to basketball in 1995.

Michael Jordan won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988, making this statement false.

This is a popular myth; he did use his left hand often but never played an entire game left-handed.

In 1988, Jordan won both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year—a rare combo. He also led the league in scoring and steals that season.

He retired from basketball in 1993 to pursue baseball, playing for the Birmingham Barons, a White Sox Double-A affiliate, in 1994.

In the 1986 playoffs, he dropped 63 on Boston, which remains the NBA playoff single-game scoring record.

He won scoring titles after turning 30: the 1992–93 season (age 30), then after his first retirement, he won again in 1995–96 (33), 1996–97 (34), and 1997–98 (35).

James Jordan was murdered in July 1993, after Jordan had already won three consecutive NBA titles (1991-1993).

He briefly wore number 45 after his first retirement in 1995, and number 12 when his jersey was stolen before a game in 1990.

Despite being visibly ill, Jordan scored 38 points, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 90-88 win over the Utah Jazz and a 3-2 series lead.

The NBA fined Jordan $5,000 per game for wearing black and red sneakers, which violated the league's uniform policy, leading Nike to market them as 'banned.'

In Game 2 of the 1986 first round, Jordan dropped 63 points on the Celtics, still the NBA playoff record for most points in a single game.

True. After his first NBA retirement, he played outfield for the Chicago White Sox’s Double-A affiliate, hitting .202.

False. Jordan returned from his first retirement in March 1995 and played 17 regular-season games that season.

In a 1986 playoff game against the Boston Celtics, Michael Jordan scored 63 points, setting the NBA single-game playoff scoring record.

False. He was selected third overall, after Hakeem Olajuwon (first) and Sam Bowie (second).

Jordan played minor league baseball for the Birmingham Barons (a White Sox affiliate) in 1994, not for the major league team.

Jordan has a known phobia of swimming and deep water, stemming from a childhood incident where a friend nearly drowned.

He won both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year that season, averaging 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks per game.

Jordan scored 60 or more points five times in his career, including a playoff-record 63 points against Boston in 1986.

After his first retirement in 1993, Jordan played Class AA baseball for the Chicago White Sox affiliate in 1994, hitting .202.

After his first retirement in 1993, Jordan signed with the White Sox and played for their Double-A affiliate, the Birmingham Barons, in 1994.

Jordan was never banned for gambling. He did face scrutiny over his gambling habits, and the NBA investigated, but no ban ever occurred.

Hakeem Olajuwon went first to Houston, Sam Bowie second to Portland, and Jordan third to Chicago. Portland passed on Jordan for a center.

He was not the highest-paid early in his career; players like Patrick Ewing and David Robinson earned more in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

All six of Jordan's Bulls championships came with Pippen on the roster; his Wizards years had no titles.

Michael Jordan was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA draft.

Jordan won his first MVP in 1988, three years before his first championship in 1991. He actually won MVP twice before any title.

In Game 5 of the 1997 Finals, Jordan played through flu-like symptoms and scored 38 points, leading the Bulls to a 90-88 win over the Jazz.

Jordan played only one partial season (1994) with the Birmingham Barons, a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, batting .202.

Jordan lost several playoff series early in his career, including to the Celtics, Pistons, and Magic before his Bulls championship era.

Jordan became part-owner of the then-Charlotte Bobcats in 2006 and majority owner in 2010, but never returned to play for them.

After his first NBA retirement in 1993, Jordan played for the Birmingham Barons, a Chicago White Sox affiliate, in 1994.

Jordan was indeed cut from Laney High School's varsity team as a sophomore, which motivated him to work harder and become a legend.

Michael Jordan scored 69 points for the Chicago Bulls against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 28, 1990. This remains his career-high regular-season scoring performance.

Michael Jordan played for the Washington Wizards from 2001 to 2003 but never won an NBA championship with them. All six of his titles were with the Chicago Bulls.

After his first NBA retirement in 1993, Michael Jordan signed a minor league baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox organization and played for the Birmingham Barons in 1994.

In The Last Dance, Jordan recounted ordering a pizza in Utah before Game 5 of the 1997 Finals. He suspected it was tainted, leading to severe illness. He still scored 38 points and won.

Michael Jordan's highest Finals game was 55 points against the Phoenix Suns in 1993. He never scored 60; Elgin Baylor holds the record with 61 in the 1962 Finals.

He won the NCAA title in 1982 as a freshman, hitting the game-winning shot. He left for the NBA after his junior year, never playing as a senior.

After his first NBA retirement, Jordan played for the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, hitting .202 with 3 home runs.

Jordan won Defensive Player of the Year in 1988, averaging 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks per game, a rare feat for a guard.

He wore number 23 at UNC, hitting the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA championship. He wore 45 briefly with the Bulls after his first return.

Michael Jordan starred in Space Jam (1996) with Bugs Bunny, a cartoon rabbit widely referred to as a bunny. The term 'bunny' is a common synonym for rabbit.

Michael Jordan wore number 23 throughout his rookie season and most of his career. He briefly wore number 45 after returning from his first retirement in 1995.

Jordan won Defensive Player of the Year in 1988 and MVP that same season, making him the first to achieve the double. Hakeem Olajuwon (1994) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2020) later matched it.

He fractured his foot in his second season (1985-86) and missed 64 games; no game with a broken foot exists.

Jordan broke his foot early in the 1985-86 season and missed most of the year. He never scored 40 with a broken foot—though he did return to score 49 in a playoff game.

Michael Jordan won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988.

Jordan's highest Finals scoring was 55 points in Game 4 of the 1993 Finals vs. the Suns. He never hit 60.

Jordan scored 31 points in Game 1 and 33 in Game 6 of the 1993 Finals, both below 40 points.

Michael Jordan won both regular-season MVP and the NBA title in 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998, disproving the statement.

Michael Jordan signed a one-year, $33.14 million contract for the 1997-98 season, making him the first NBA player to exceed $30 million in a season.

Jordan won his fourth MVP in 1996 at age 33, and his fifth MVP in 1998 at age 35, both well after turning 30.

During his six NBA championship seasons (1991–1993, 1996–1998), Michael Jordan's head coach was exclusively Phil Jackson, who coached the Bulls from 1989 to 1998.

Jordan was the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets from 2010 to 2023, but he sold his stake in 2023, so he didn't own it at retirement—he owned it later.

Co-founded with Denny Hamlin in 2020, the team competes in the NASCAR Cup Series with Toyota Camrys and has won multiple races, including with Bubba Wallace.

Team sources later confirmed it was food poisoning from a pizza ordered in Salt Lake City the night before Game 5.

Jordan's best free-throw percentage in a season was 85.7% in 1986-87, and he never shot 100% from the line for any season.

In 1997, Jordan signed a one-year deal for $33.14 million with the Bulls, making him the first player to surpass $30 million annually.

Jordan was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1988 MLB Draft, but it was in the 22nd round (506th overall), not the first round.

His playoff career high is 63 points in a first-round game against Boston in 1986, but he never scored 60 in the Finals; his Finals high is 55.

He went 6-0 in Finals appearances but lost Game 1 of the 1991 Finals at home to the Lakers, despite the Bulls having home-court.

Elgin Baylor holds that record with 61 points in 1962; Jordan's highest Finals game was 55 points.

Jordan never earned a total of $1 billion in salary. His wealth came mostly from endorsements, especially Nike, and his Hornets ownership.

The award started in 1983. Sidney Moncrief won the first one. Jordan won it once, in 1988, but was not the first recipient.

Jordan wore 23 in high school as a tribute to his older brother Larry, who wore 45. He later briefly wore 45 after his first comeback.

Michael Jordan played in six NBA Finals with the Chicago Bulls. Each series ended in five or six games, so he never participated in a Game 7 in the Finals.

Throughout his career, Michael Jordan's teams went 20-0 in playoff series when holding home-court advantage, never losing to a lower-seeded opponent.

All six of Jordan's NBA Finals appearances were with the Chicago Bulls under head coach Phil Jackson. He never reached the Finals with another coach.

He wore #23 because it was roughly half of his brother Larry's number, 45, but he chose it as his own approximation, not exactly half. This is a common misinterpretation.

He famously wore his Tar Heels practice shorts beneath his Bulls shorts for good luck throughout his career.

He lost the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals to the Detroit Pistons in 7 games, so his playoff Game 7 record is 2-1, not undefeated.

Wilt Chamberlain scored 4,029 points in 1961-62 and 3,033 in 1962-63; Jordan’s highest was 3,041 in 1986-87.

True. In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan famously played while visibly ill, scoring 38 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to victory over the Utah Jazz.

He lost in the first round to the Boston Celtics in 1986 and 1987. Many assume his dominance started immediately.