Michael Jordan

Basketball player. Born Michael Jeffrey Jordan on February 17, 1963 in New York City. He played with the Chicago Bulls from 1984, and was named as the National Basketball Association's Most Valuable Player in 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1997. A member of the USA Olympic gold medal-winning team in 1984 and 1992, he holds the record for most points in an NBA play-off game (63), against Boston in 1986, and scored over 50 points in a game on 34 occasions. He earned his nickname for his remarkable athleticism.

One of the world's most idolized sportsmen, Jordan announced his retirement in 1993, turned to baseball, but returned to the Chicago Bulls in 1995. In addition to his MVP award in 1996, he also took the NBA scoring title for the eighth time to break Wilt Chamberlain's record, and won it again in 1997. In 1998 he won his sixth NBA title with the Chicago Bulls.

Appearances in television commercials led to his role in the Warner Bros part-animated film Space Jam (1996). Jordan retired in 1999, but made a comeback with the Washington Wizards in 2001, finally retiring in 2003. In 2006, he became part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats.