Michael Jordan Chronology

* Feb. 17, 1963-Born in Brooklyn, N.Y.

* March 29, 1982-As a freshman at North Carolina, makes game-winning basket for Tar Heels in 63-62 victory in the NCAA championship game against Georgetown.

* 1982-83-AP All-America first team.

* 1983-84-AP All-America first team. AP college player of the year. Member of gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team.

* June 19, 1984-Chicago Bulls’ No. 1 draft choice, chosen third overall, behind Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston) and Sam Bowie (Portland).

* 1984-85-NBA rookie of the year after averaging 28.2 points.

* 1985-86-Sat out 64 games because of a broken foot.

* April 20, 1986-Scores playoff-record 63 points in a first-round game against Boston.

* 1986-87-Slam dunk champion. Scores 3,041 points, the third highest total in NBA history. Averages 37.1 points to win first of seven consecutive NBA scoring titles. Named All-NBA first team for first of seven consecutive seasons.

* May 1, 1988-Scores 55 points in playoff victory against Cleveland.

* 1987-88-Slam dunk champion. Regular-season MVP. Defensive player of the year. All-Star game MVP. Named NBA all-defensive first team for first of six consecutive years.

* March 28, 1990-Scores career-best 69 points against Cleveland.

* 1990-91-Regular-season MVP. NBA Finals MVP. Leads Bulls to first NBA championship.

* 1991-92-Regular-season MVP. NBA Finals MVP for second year in a row, the first player so honored. Scores playoff record 135 points in leading the Bulls to a three-game sweep of Miami in the first round. Included is a 56-point performance, his fifth career game of at least 50 points in the playoffs. Leads Bulls to NBA championship. Member of gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic “Dream Team” with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

* June 3, 1992-Scores an NBA Finals record 35 first-half points against Portland in Game 1.

* June 2, 1993-Has a triple-double (29 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists) in playoff game against New York.

* 1992-1993-Averages 32.6 points to tie Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record of seven consecutive scoring titles. Highest scoring average in NBA Finals history, 41.0 points against Phoenix, as Bulls win third consecutive title, in six games. Becomes first player named Finals MVP three years in a row.

* Aug. 3, 1993-The body of Jordan’s father, James, is found in South Carolina. Authorities determine he was killed July 23 in North Carolina. Two men are eventually convicted in the murder.

* Oct. 6, 1993-Jordan stuns the basketball world by retiring, saying he has nothing left to prove in basketball.

* December 1993-Begins playing baseball, eyeing a tryout with the Chicago White Sox.

* Feb. 7, 1994-Signs free-agent contract with the White Sox, saying he is not afraid to fail. The team invites him to spring training.

* March 31, 1994-White Sox assign Jordan to the double-A Birmingham Barons of the Southern League.

* April 8, 1994-Jordan starts his first pro baseball game, playing right field. For the season, Jordan bats .202 with 51 RBIs, 30 stolen bases and 114 strikeouts in 127 games. His presence boosts attendance throughout the Southern League.

* Sept. 9, 1994-Jordan scores 52 points in a charity basketball game set up by former Bull teammate Scottie Pippen.

* Sept.-Nov. 1994-Jordan plays for the Scottsdale Scorpions of Arizona Fall League, batting .252 in 35 games.

* Nov. 1, 1994-Bulls retire Jordan’s No. 23 and unveil a statue of him in front of the United Center.

* March 2, 1995-Jordan leaves White Sox spring training camp after the team is split into those who will play exhibition games and those who won’t. Jordan had vowed earlier to stay out of the middle of the baseball strike.

* March 7-9, 1995-Jordan’s appearances at the Bulls’ training facility prompt speculation he will return to basketball.

* March 18, 1995-Jordan and the Bulls announce he will rejoin the team and play in the next day’s nationally televised game against the Pacers in Indianapolis.

* March 19, 1995-Wearing No. 45, the same number he wore for the Barons and as a basketball player in junior high, Jordan plays 38 minutes, scoring 19 points on seven-for-28 shooting with six rebounds and six assists in overtime loss to Indiana.

* March 28, 1995-In his fifth game back, Jordan scores 55 points on 21-for-37 shooting in 113-111 victory at New York.

* May 18, 1995-Jordan and the Bulls are knocked out of the playoffs by the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals. It is the first time a Jordan-led Chicago team is knocked from the playoffs since 1989-90.

* Oct. 29, 1996-Jordan is named as a member of NBA’s 50 greatest players.

* 1995-96-Jordan leads Chicago over Seattle in the NBA Finals in his first full season back since retirement. The Bulls win an NBA-record 72 games and Jordan wins his eighth scoring title, is named regular-season MVP, NBA Finals MVP and All-Star game MVP.

* 1996-97-Jordan wins his second consecutive scoring title, ninth overall, and is named Finals MVP for the second season in a row. Jordan and the Bulls win their second consecutive NBA title-fifth overall-by defeating Utah in six games.

* March 27, 1998-The largest crowd in NBA history-62,046-shows up at the Georgia Dome. Jordan scores 34 points in Chicago’s 89-74 victory over Atlanta.

* June 14, 1998-Jordan steals the ball from Karl Malone and makes the championship-winning shot against Utah in Game 6. Chicago wins its third consecutive NBA title and sixth in eight years. Jordan wins his third consecutive scoring title and 10th of his career. Named regular-season MVP, NBA Finals MVP and All-Star game MVP.

* Jan. 13, 1999-Officially announces his retirement from the NBA, saying he is “99.9%” sure he would never return.

* Dec. 26, 1999-Named athlete of the century by ESPN, beating out Babe Ruth.

* Jan. 19, 2000-Joins the Washington Wizards as part-owner and president of basketball operations. Jordan also acquires an ownership stake in the Washington Capitals.

* Sept. 10, 2001-Says he is nearing a decision on a comeback, strongly hinting he will return. “I’m doing it for the love of the game. Nothing else,” he said.

* Sept. 25, 2001-Jordan makes return official, agreeing to a two-year deal to play for the Wizards.