There are hardly a handful of players who can say they came out on top against Michael Jordan. His Airness showed no mercy to anyone, and be it a legend or a role player, Jordan would often obliterate them at his own sweet will. And His Airness was even doing it in college as he once torched Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.
Jordan in college was already a phenomenal player. In his freshman year, Jordan was named the ACC Freshman of the year. And in his first year itself, Jordan established himself as one of the premier players on the circuit. He helped North Carolina win the NCAA championship in 1982. In fact, he is most known for his game-winning jump shot against Patrick Ewing in the championship round.
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But in the Final Four, Jordan faced a couple of other future Hall of Famers and he did not take it easy on them.
Michael Jordan took apart Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon in the Final four
In the Final four, Jordan and University of North Carolina faced the University of Houston. And Houston boasted of two future Hall of Famers in Hakeem and Drexler. This was not an easy matchup for Jordan but he made it look rather simple. He scored 18 points in the game and he helped UNC advance to the championship round. Hakeem and Drexler tried their best, but it was Jordan’s day as UNC set a date against Georgetown.
This was just the start of Jordan’s college career. MJ was named in the NCAA All-American first team in 1983 and 1984. He even won the Naismith and Wooden College player of the year award. And then he left for the NBA, declaring himself for the 1984 NBA draft.
Final Four 1982
Michael Jordan scores 18 points, helping to lead North Carolina past Drexler, Olajuwon and the University of Houston#NBA #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/9EBm66g70C
— The Jordan Rules (@Rules23Jordan) September 18, 2022
And this was just the start of his historic run. Air Jordan came into the league and took it by storm. In his first few years, it became clearly evident who was the face of the league. And as he reached his prime, Jordan slowly started winning titles.
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In his 15-year career, Jordan won six titles and six Finals MVP awards to go along with five NBA MVP awards. He set numerous records, some of which are still unbroken to this day. And he finished his career as arguably the greatest player of all time.
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And all of this started at his collegiate level, where he torched Hakeem and Drexler and anyone who came in his path in the future.