Jordan returns home to watch Bobcats

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Charlotte Bobcats part-owner Michael Jordan returned to his hometown Friday to get his first glimpse of the team he remade in the off-season.

Jordan arrived to learn he may be shopping for big men after forward Sean May’s decision to have season-ending knee surgery.

Jordan, who has the final say on all basketball decisions, watched from the balcony as the Bobcats went through a 45-minute scrimmage at UNC Wilmington under new Coach Sam Vincent.

“We had a good conversation. He’s very supportive of the way we’re practicing,” Vincent said. “He likes what he sees. It was real encouraging to have him come and watch what we’re doing.”

Jordan declined to speak to reporters both after practice and earlier in the day, when he helped dedicate a reading room at the local children’s center where he played basketball as a kid.

Jordan was involved in a busy off-season, when he hired Vincent to replace Bernie Bickerstaff and pulled off a draft night trade with Golden State to acquire Jason Richardson.

The Bobcats also re-signed leading scorer Gerald Wallace and three-point specialist Matt Carroll. They’re trying to sign forward Emeka Okafor to a contract extension before the end of the month.

May said Tuesday he’ll undergo surgery, a decision that leaves Charlotte thin in the frontcourt.

Jordan’s afternoon began at the Community Boys & Girls Club on the outskirts of Wilmington, where a younger Jordan spent countless hours as a kid.

Jordan, who donated $100,000 to the club in March, dedicated a Bobcats-themed reading wing Friday, which will be stocked with books and other educational materials.

About 100 children attended the brief ceremony, where Jordan spoke fondly of his memories of the center.

“For all these kids that are going to benefit from this, hopefully we have another Michael Jordan here somewhere in terms of their success,” Jordan said. “Not Michael Jordan per se in terms of basketball. Someone who just believes in their dreams and aspires to be the best person they can be.”