Jordan's First College Game - N. Carolina vs. Kansas. 1981

[@michaelware2595]

They analyzed Michael Jordan very well. "He responds very well to pressure."

[@Ezees23]

I live in Durham, NC - about ~25 miles from Chapel Hill where UNC is. I saw and met Worthy, Perkins, and Jordan at a UNC football game. They were going down my aisle in Kenan Stadium and I said hi. I was at the football game watching Lawrence Taylor play!!! I still get chills being in the prescence of greatness and then remembering that those guys were about to make both NFL and NBA history. Those were the days.....

[@iiitrey23]

In just his first game, notice what they say: "Jumping Jack" "He's compared to Walter Davis and David Thompson" (who scored 76pts in an NBA game) "He's a better guard than Thompson was" "He's going to be a great one" "He's shown me that thoroughbred something that responds to pressure" "He's going against the system - they normally don't start even the most talented freshmen" "You can see him growing up in this game" "His inexperience didn't show there, did it" "He's an extraordinary athlete"

[@YoungBlood507]

First time I didn't hear a standing ovation for Michael Jordan. Forgive them father they do not know

[@Sejr0420]

Unlimited 😂

[@yamama3510]

😂

[@teddavis6093]

We didn't how good he was then. NO one knew he'd become who he is, but I knew he was special because it was rare for college coaches to let guards go back then. You handled, distributed, and took shots when you had them. He was the first guard I saw who was allowed to do whatever he wanted. Dean Smith disciplined him, but he understood what he had. By his sophomore year, "yerrrrrr man", he'd become our Michael Jordan.

[@ddp5406]

@@teddavis6093 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3bUYqFsrq96nMU He wasn't undeniable like this kid was out of high school

[@mattmiller1078]

anyone else notice that the first shot Jordan missed was almost in the exact same spot on the floor as the game winner against Georgetown in the national championship game???

[@bwade5544]

Matt Miller no.

[@thetruth72667]

Matt Miller yup lol I thought the same thing

[@HealingMusiciansLaunchcast]

Matt Miller I did right away . Crazy

[@yamama3510]

I only noticed because I read the video description where it mentions it

[@rtee48]

Yup. Same cross court pass. Entered my my mind as soon as I saw it. Kind of eerie. A lot of forshadowing what was to come in this game. That aforementioned shot, the announcer saying "showtime" when Worthy went coast to coast to the basket, the analysis of freshman Jordan's game and last but not least, how Kansas has now become a DAMN NEMESIS TO UNC BASKETBALL! smh

[@JellyBean2144]

Wow. This is great. The Tar Heels were loaded back then; Jordan, Worthy, Perkins, Doherty, and Jimmy Black..OMG!!

[@alanschu14]

I love that the announcer calls "Showtime" when Worthy makes a fast break layup! :D

[@ericwright2594]

Funny how that would be in his future

[@shawnyoung8752]

Look up Pete Marevichs debut with Atlanta in 70. After a quarter or so one of the announcers says "I ts Showtime". He was making passes from everywhere and had a great Jumpshot. I think most teams thought he was a ABA like player. Just a one on one guy. He was Magic before magic. Nate Archibald was great with Kansas city kings. He was not respected till he went to Celtics. Paul Westphaul was same with sun's. 6'4 guy who could run break, finish at rim and shoot.

[@user-jy1jl7ki4p]

Foreshadowing to the showtime Lakers

[@alanaldpal950]

That Mike Jordan guy showed lots of potential for his first game. I wonder what ever became of him?

[@UTuberz04]

I think he became an actor in the Creed movies

[@FlyingV3rd]

​@UTuberz04 wrong Michael Jordan.

[@FlyingV3rd]

He became part of the 1981-82 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball championship team buy helping them finish the season with an overall record of 32-2 and a conference record of 12-2. Then, he also helped the tar heels win the ACC men's basketball tournament, including its championship game. Next, he helped the UNC team win the 1982 NCAA men's national basketball tournament, including its championship game. Then, 2 seasons later, he won the Naismith award. He also helps team USA win their ninth olympic gold medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Also, in 1984, he was drafted into the NBA as a team member of the Chicago Bulls and led them to three consecutive NBA championships two times from 1991 to 1993 and from 1996 to 1998.

[@alanaldpal950]

@@FlyingV3rd wow, quite a career …. I wonder, with all those accomplishments, if he made much money 😮

[@FlyingV3rd]

@alanaldpal950 He did, and did I forget to mention that he also helped team USA win their 10th gold medal in men's basketball in the 1992 summer olympics in Barcelona, Spain, and did his 2 year stunt in baseball during his first retirement before his return to the NBA and to the Chicago Bulls in March of 1995?

[@BrettR4763]

The first basket of Jordan's college career. Nice. And so the legend began.

[@southsideman4891]

ALL THIS STUFF ABOUT MIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO SHOOT AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS CAREER IS A FLAT OUT MYTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@chrisb.865]

Look at what the analysis says about him at the end. He's gonna be a great one.

[@faronanderson2536]

The interview at the end @8:45 says it all.Unbelievably after only his first college game.If you can respond well to pressure,that's the mark of a champion right there!

[@tazbomberman]

this clip is awesome ... thank you so much starks ! when "Mike" (haha makes me laugh) gets his first rebound and started dribbling the ball up the court i got chills

[@JelaniWood]

I love how his first miss was from the same spot he hit the shot to win the CHampionship from

[@Mr25thfret]

Thank you for adding this piece of basketball history to my memories!

[@slantone]

2 things that stand out- how amazing worthy was as a college player- people forget what a standout pro he was also. and secondly how different mjs jumper was- how raw it still was- and how much work he really did put into his game. he totally remoddelled his jumper in the pros.

[@tongtau]

great, precious footage of the GOAT, w/ fine quality, thanx again

[@3dog9ty]

What a line-up. Sam Perkins, James Worthy, "Mike" Jordan. Kansas really never had a chance!! So nice to see this game again. Early 80's, just awesome Basketball back then. The 80's and early 90's were a fantastic time for Basketball. "Mike" is a big reason why!!

[@DrSeuss-nv9hw]

1979-85. That was the high point. Even the most talented players played 3-4 years.

[@elwin38]

People knew of James Worthy and Sam Perkins, but not this Mike Jordan guy.

[@FlyingV3rd]

That's Michael Jordan, and he's was the new shooting guard at the time.

[@hectorlopez1069]

Michael first game in college. This is wonderful to see his first game in college. He would start playing brilliant.

[@rrTale]

True a lot of his game changed with the years, he perfected every aspect to become the standard for everyone that came after him. But even here he had that raw style that looked so good

[@FreezeSolo]

How many times do you think those Kansas players told the story about playing against Michael Jordan? Even though they had no idea they just played against "Michael Jordan" at the time.

[@joshuasutton983]

Freeze Solo In hindsight, they can look back on it as a special moment. It's funny how the passage of time can change the perception of events.

[@feeteater6234]

Nobody on that Kansas team made it pro

[@bradlewis6514]

feet eater Your exactly right and because Kansas was in rebuilding mode from the previous season! Their best player (Darnell Valentine) had gone in the draft before the '81-'82 season

[@AEMoreira81]

Especially since at the time, it was almost unheard of to have a true freshman starting. MJ was starting as a true freshman right out of the gate.

[@yamama3510]

That’s cuz that was “mike” Jordan that night

[@southsideman4891]

Funny how he said "Showtime" with Worthy

[@birdie3rdie]

That why Mr. Worthy came in handy for the Lakers.

[@southsideman4891]

@@birdie3rdie yep!

[@bradlewis6514]

He became Michael Jordan in his sophomore season ('82-'83)! '81-'82 was the first yr I paid legit attention to college basketball as a kid! I was in fourth grade! First Carolina game I remember was after this one! It was Carolina Kentucky #1 vs #2 at the old Meadowlands and it was a mismatch Carolina won handily! Worthy ate the 'Cats alive!

[@FlyingV3rd]

@bradlewis6514 Yeah, and Michael Jordan ate the Kentucky Wildcats alive, too, alongside James Worthy.

[@naturalfinish]

outstanding post...one of the all time college squads in the first game of the year...Jordan asserts himself right away into the offensive scheme of things and is not afraid to shoot...Worthy is the best player on the team, Perkins and Black were great college players...not sure how many other college teams have 2 hall of fame, top 50 players, 83 Houston is abut the only other,,,

[@freddyb6105]

There was a old saying, "the only man that could hold Jordan under 20 pts was Dean Smith"

[@meattooth1303]

I remember watching this Thanksgiving weekend at Wrightsville Beach, NC when I was 12. Funny how I can remember details from this game but cannot remember where I just put my keys.

[@regpoteat2195]

Dean Smith was a great coach and a great man for that the basketball gods gave him Mike Jordan. Well deserved.

[@dalepress1581]

He went from Mike to Michael to GOAT

[@garywalcott9670]

The commentators are surprised that they started Jordan

[@AEMoreira81]

Was that his first college game, period? (Also consider that MJ was a true freshman.)

[@regpoteat2195]

Yes that was his first college game.

[@moregoldmoregold]

Was at this game and I said to my uncle this mike jordan will become the greatest player ever... He laughed. He reminds me of that everytime I see him.

[@mrsmiley707]

-.-

[@sacamentobob]

B Beasty ... awesome!!!

[@idansolon4715]

Why did you say that?

[@southsideman4891]

Wow!!!......

[@feeteater6234]

Sounds like ur lying

[@ncparalegal]

My aunt worked at Duke and I knew all the players and I was devoted to Duke until 1981. Duke played this team called Carolina. Worthy, Jordan and Perkins... I have been a Tar Hill fan every since. GO Heels...

[@ShaAllahShabazzMBA]

little did they know

[@AEMoreira81]

The way they saw him play, they saw lots of intangibles and weren't surprised by what became of MJ.

[@ScottFreebass]

4:16 Only the GOAT has the confidence to slap the referee on the butt in his first college game

[@bmla88]

He was not yet the goat

[@conradhassell8546]

By me being a big basketball fan I remember Michael Jordan is a 18 year old this guy's going to be great every year he got better and better I said duh NBA for the watch this kid he is going to be a superstar

[@MiLLz830]

dam jordan had worthy and perkins as teamates domination

[@okbuddy9846]

This is probably the closest were gonna get to his high school footage wish there was more of that aside from that one dunk thats out

[@uncletony6210]

back when they played by candle light

[@haljohnson6947]

back when it was filmed with potato

[@ashensilver1487]

Already see the finesse and ease in his game we all know so well...

[@Endiah]

Thanks for another classic!

[@yamama3510]

James Worthy and Perkins. Didn’t even know they played on the same team

[@DARK24-7]

This Mike Jordan guy might make it in the NBA.

[@cadeblack3772]

“That’s a senior against a freshman”... it’s actually the guy we’ve never heard of against the greatest basketball player to ever play

[@ditmaseagle1296]

Brad Daugherty Has the LUXURY OF SAYING "I PLAYED NCAA HOOPS WITH THE BEST THAT BASKETBALL HAS EVER SEEN".

[@kuwinsitall]

Neat that MJs first game was againt my 'Hawks.

[@jcmorris]

4:14 did he slap that ref on the ass?

[@candacewilson4606]

Crazy, right?

[@Mr25thfret]

Haha! It sure looked like it!

[@yamama3510]

I never understood this gesture in sports

[@identifyyourself5684]

@@yamama3510 I think it means good job , I was smacked a few times playing basketball and inside I reacted like whoa whoa whoa lol ...I never had the courage to congratulate someone like that. I know it's about being a good sport and is on same level as sayiing good job , good call.

[@awubinski]

Jordan , Worthy , and Perkins went to the NBA. No wonder why they dominated college basketball

[@bd001217]

Great video, we played NC that year, and Worhty and Perkins were absolute beasts. Jordan was just another player, although we knew it was special for a frosh to start the opening game for Dean Smith... up to that time, I think the only Freshmen to start on Day 1 for Dean Smith were Phil Ford, Mike O'Koren, Worthy, Perkins and Jordan. I don't think anyone else did prior to that.

[@bradlewis6514]

bd001217 Worthy stated in an interview that prior to Michael, it was only he and Phil Ford who had started as freshman on Day 1! And if memory serves me right there's only been a handful since MJ! I'm thinking Kenny Smith, JR Reid, Antwan Jamison, Tyler Hansbrough, and Harrison Barnes

[@bradlewis6514]

O'Koren would crack the starting lineup later on during his freshman season of '76-'77 and of course played a more than pivotal role in the upset of UNLV in the national semifinals

[@bd001217]

@@bradlewis6514 I only just now saw your comments, including the comment from a year ago. Thanks very much for the clarifications, much appreciated!!

[@hectorlopez1069]

He played with James Worthy at North Carolina. They won a national championship in 1982.

[@Basssinger86]

Wow, Jordan's first appearance in recorded sports history, (unless there is recorded stats from his high school days which I seriously doubt) so this is a HISTORIC game.

[@Ariamaluum]

He was actually 6'2 and grew to be 6'3. Steve Kerr was actually taller than him.

[@likeaboss6682]

mike jordan....sounds weird.

[@craz4]

Great rare stuff! Thanks

[@user-jy1jl7ki4p]

Mikeay have a future in the NBA 😏

[@dolphinbuc]

ESPN playing Ghetto Life by Rick James at halftime. Hahaha!

[@elwin38]

there was NO 3-pt line officially until 1986! starting in '85, some of the smaller conferences started experimenting with the 3 as well as the shot clock. the 3pointer AND the shot clock became official by the 1986-87 season.

[@bwade5544]

7:31 Ten years later, Jordan dunks tf outta that.

[@ohmy_]

"Mike" Jordan

[@EvolutionIXRR]

only if i could time travel..i would go back to his early years and tell him "hey mike, u'r gonna be a legend.'

[@enigmathegrayman2953]

Ahh, 1981 whatta year! 😌

[@traydamus]

They just didn't know...

[@anthonygreen3331]

Jordan got alot exposure in which he deserved, but big game James was the dude, He looks like a grown man playing with boys, Worthy has to be the best power forward of all time,He intevated that position. Jimmy black gets none of the credit he deserved as well, He one of the best point guards ever to play at UNC. Without blacks senior leadership and unselfishness to take the back seat to a kid is really a tribute to him and that heels team. Sam was also the man as well, Him and Worthy without a doubt the best 1-2 forward combination of all time.

[@tmac8892]

James worthy: i was better than Mike. For about 2 weeks.

[@realcampusman]

i wanna be i wanna be i wanna be like mike like mike like mike if i could be like mike

[@toobeme24]

Mike Rathke oh ok, That Mike., I just didn't know who the hell is Mike Jordan.

[@yamama3510]

I’m glad they didn’t keep the “Mike Jordan” and called him by Michael. Doesn’t sound right 🤨

[@jordanlover23]

Jordan is actually (or was actually, as of a few years ago -- I don't keep up with HS ball much) the only player who ever averaged a triple-double in high school, which he did his senior year with like 30/12/11 or something.

[@goterps55]

great observation

[@konnichiwow3139]

This guy mike jordan has a potential, he should be drafted in the NBA

[@andriusssska]

nobody knows that Mike Jordan will be the greatest basketball player of all time , and he will be Michael so :|

[@justin8910]

little did they know...what he would eventually become...

[@radar0412]

I wonder if that announcer was right when he said that Mike Jordan guy would be as good as Walter Davis or David Thompson? The World may never know.

[@crb4059]

MJ would win his first championship ten years later against his former UNC teammate. Of greater note, Kobe was a drooling baby in '81.

[@gauchousa8310]

Mike Jordan... LOL!! Try "Scott Pippen", thats what they called him when he was first drafted..

[@becarefulwhatyoufish4764]

“Michael Tyson”

[@kw3674]

@@becarefulwhatyoufish4764 Iron Michael Tyson 😂

[@Noelfuga300]

if only I could have visions of the future

[@rcmj23]

At 5:10, how is it not a shooting foul as MJ goes up for a rebound-dunk? On an unrelated note, Worthy's finger roll at 6:40 is classic.

[@Majesticon]

This video is proof Jordan was highly rated out of high school, comparing him to walter davis and the immortal david thompson

[@gossipboynyc2434]

Definitely, shows it doesn't hurt to make comparisons to legends even from day one in College

[@briankeefe476]

Good enough that UNC signed him right after his Junior year in HS. And that summer '80 MJ was the highest rated HS player at the prestigious 5 STAR camp. As a Senior In '81 he scored 30 pts in the McDonald's HS All America Game.

[@sturttv]

Actually the 3-point line began in the 1986-87 season. It was already established in the NBA. They started using it much earlier in 1979-80.

[@zabarshabazz9472]

THE 3pt SHOT CAME FROM THE A.B.A. LEAGUE. THEY WERE SHOOTING 3's BACK IN THE 1970'S.

[@bradlewis6514]

The ACC experimented with the three point line, though, in the 1982-83 season during conference play! It became official in 1986-87

[@brianarbenz7206]

Mike! That name is as unnatural as Dave Thompson or Jim Worthy!

[@yaiqab]

They kept saying FRESHMAN because Dean Smith had NEVER started a freshman in his coaching career other than Jordan. Jordan was always great. Even that story about him getting cut in high school is overblown. He was a 15 year old trying to play on the varsity team when he should have been on the JV team in high school.

[@Happyman1959]

yaiqab Phil Ford and Kenny Smith started as freshmen before Jordan.

[@chrisb.865]

Who's Mike Jordan?

[@matteen12]

He went on to become the greatest shoe salesman of all time.

[@Swift19850]

mcgavin second best you forgot to mention Al Bundy

[@itsaflatworld5337]

Michael Jordan. Put some respect on his name

[@pipecorleone]

the reporter at the end was a visionary...how can i get the entire game??

[@wtguenthner]

That crowd is so quiet.

[@garywalcott9670]

The fans are like who's Mike Jordan?

[@AEMoreira81]

Gary Walcott This was his first college game and he was a true freshman. The stars of the team at the time were Sam Perkins (who went on to play 1,286 games in the NBA and play until he was 39) and future Hall of Famer James Worthy,

[@MaNiGauLt23]

jordan ran a 4:30 mile so I don't know what you mean by world class. he couldn't accomplish this in college, because he was slower but he was determined to become better.

[@hellokittyqueen1412]

Love this

[@merchantsmithimages]

Future Hall of Famer Mike Jordan with the assist to Future Hall of Famer James Worthy.

[@S33P]

Starks you crasy man:)where did get this stuff.Thank you day after day... Take care be safe..

[@samn3276]

Just foul him test his free throws! 🤣🤣

[@vladweezyho93]

it's a sign of sportsmanship you must not have played sports in high school.

[@Ariamaluum]

Charlotte Coliseum is now Independence Coliseum where the ECHL Charlotte Checkers play there.

[@S33P]

Starks you crasy man:)where did you get this stuff.Thank you day after day... Take care be safe

[@tyrondavis6727]

The very beginning of the Pre- Air Jordan..... And in ten years.... Michael Jordan delivers Chicago Bulls for their first NBA Championship

[@jonathan14ize]

I was there at this game, never would I thought I would be witnessing the birth of the GOAT. Michael Jeffrey Jordan. By the way, KOBE is the closest thing to MJ. They’re nearly identical in every aspect. Non-divas like players now a days. Aka Lebron.

[@elohim77]

lol, they compared michael jordan with walter davis and david thompson back then...LOL...so funny. Very interesting video, thx!

[@alvislancaster5967]

Basketball was so much better back then...more fundamentals and clean...teams had different personalities...now every team plays the exact same way...except maybe Virginia..

[@tyroncenidas]

commentator: and here's the man, JIMMY BLACK... err, who?

[@sirachisrael1778]

Dee Necesito Lol!!!

[@JohnSmith-op1tc]

@@sirachisrael1778 , this was ESPN at 3 years old, with a veteran announcer, Jim Simpson, who was hired in to give the network some credibility. Simpson had Dick Vitale as a partner at times, but he's on in this game with Bucky Waters, who had a long announcing career, had been Duke's coach a couple of turns before Coach K came on. Black was revered for running the offense, there are plenty of people on the floor there to do the shooting.

[@ImmortalDragon]

right on.

[@HealingMusiciansLaunchcast]

Weird to not see a three point line

[@14691]

That's the original nickname. Jayhawkers were militant abolitionists in the Kansas Territory in the 1850s.