Michael Jordan

Before the six NBA championships, the five MVP awards, the 14 All-Star games, the nine all-defensive first-team selections, the two Olympic gold medals, the Hall of Fame induction – before all of that, there was a moment that will remain frozen forever.

His arms outstretched, ball gently sliding off his fingertips. His legs elevated a few feet from the floor, where Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas stand, watching. And yes, his tongue is out.

Michael Jordan later described this shot as the major turning point in his basketball career. This shot was the game-winning baseline jumper in the 1982 NCAA Championship game.

Jordan was not The Greatest Ever when he first stepped on the court for Dean Smith in 1981. But under Smith and as a Tar Heel, Jordan took the strides that would eventually lead him to that consensus title.

With an average of 13.4 points per game in his first season, Jordan was named ACC Freshman of the Year.He eventually went on to average 17.7 points per game on 54 percent shooting during his three seasons in Chapel Hill.

And after 1984, when Jordan won the Naismith and the Wooden College Player of the Year awards as a junior, he decided to forego his final year and enter the NBA Draft.

Jordan’s trophy case also includes two NCAA College Player of the Year awards and two unanimous selections as a first-team All-America, and one of the eight retired jersey numbers in school history.

He was selected with the third overall pick in 1984 by the Chicago Bulls, and throughout his NBA career, he wore his North Carolina shorts under his Bulls shorts for good luck.

Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree in 1986.