Ever wondered what life is like for Michael Jordan’s siblings away from the spotlight? The 6x NBA champ has, in parts, credited somewhat of his success to his siblings as well. Growing up as the fourth child of Deloris Jordan and James R. Jordan Sr., Mike shared a tight-knit bond with his brothers and sisters—James Jr. (or Ronnie), Larry, Deloris, and Roslyn.
They all grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, where their backyard turned into a battleground of friendly competition, giving birth to Michael’s legendary drive. In the 2020 ESPN docuseries The Last Dance, Michael reflected on the origins of his drive, saying, “That competitiveness within me started when I was a kid.” We know how far that competitive fire took His Airness, but what about the rest of the Jordan clan? So let’s have a close look at what Mike’s siblings have been doing recently.
Larry Jordan was once perceived as possibly better than the 6x NBA champ himself
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Larry Jordan was a huge part of Michael’s early basketball development. The two brothers were inseparable on the court, constantly going head-to-head in backyard one-on-one battles. It’s often said that these intense games helped mold MJ into the athlete we all know today. In fact, Larry was so good that people who saw him play back then believed he could’ve gone pro.
“When you say Air Jordan, I’m No.2, he’s 1” — His Airness‘ statement in a rare video reflects how good his brother was. In fact, Larry was on a varsity team which MJ couldn’t make. But as destiny wanted something else, Mike had a major growth spurt, which his elder brother never did, and stayed below 6 ft.
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As per the info available on Press Farm, Larry took his talents to North Carolina A&T State University, where he continued playing ball. Although he didn’t chase a professional career, his influence on Michael was profound. More recently, Larry has kept a low profile, working as a businessman.
Michael Jordan’s eldest brother served in the Military
James R. Jordan Jr., often referred to as Ronnie, is the eldest of the Jordan siblings. He shared a strong bond with his father, James Jordan Sr., and followed in his footsteps by joining the US Army. He didn’t just serve—he excelled, rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major.
Reflecting on his decision, Ronnie once said, “I figured I wanted to be a soldier, plus I was the oldest of five kids. I wanted to get out of the house and do something myself.” As per the info on Press Farm, after an impressive military career, Ronnie turned his focus to entrepreneurship.
Recently, he has been involved in several business ventures, supporting his family along the way. While he may not be as famous as his brother Michael, Ronnie’s life is a testament to the dedication, discipline, and forging your own path.
Deloris Jordan is the eldest daughter of the family
Let’s talk about Deloris Jordan, or as her family lovingly calls her, “Sis.” She is the eldest daughter of the Jordan family, and if you’re wondering, yes, she’s every bit as impressive as her famous brother, Michael—just in a different way.
From a young age, Deloris was the nurturing one. She always had her head in her books and took her academics seriously, eventually earning a psychology degree from James Madison University. But she didn’t stop there! She went on to get a master’s in human services from Capella University.
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So, what has Deloris been up to all these years? Well, she’s dedicated her life to helping others. Whether it’s guiding students through academic challenges or supporting families through tough times, Deloris has made her mark in the world of education and counseling. It’s safe to say she’s an unsung hero in the Jordan family.
Michael Jordan’s younger sister has authored three books
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Just like Mike, Roslyn Jordan had her own impressive run in sports during her youth, shining on the basketball and volleyball courts. But while her brother took the sports route, Roslyn charted a different course. As per the info on Press Farm, she chose to follow in their mother’s footsteps, building a successful career in banking.
Though you might not have heard much about her in the media, Roslyn has always been a rock for the Jordan family. If you were watching Michael’s games closely, you might’ve spotted her in the crowd, cheering her brother.
And here’s something you might not know—Roslyn is also an author! She teamed up with her mom to write three children’s books. Salt in His Shoes, Did I Tell You I Love You Today?, and Michael’s Golden Rules. In fact, Salt in His Shoes became a New York Times bestseller in 2001.
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Roslyn explained the inspiration behind the book beautifully–“We wanted to use Michael to show that when you have a dream, you need strong will, determination, practice, and of course, prayer.”
So that’s that for the 4 siblings of Michael Jordan and how they have been excelling in their respective lives in their own sense.
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