James R. Jordan Foundation | Capsule Collection

S otheby’s is pleased to present James R. Jordan Foundation | Capsule Collection, a charitable online auction featuring Michael Jordan memorabilia on offer from the James R. Jordan Foundation (JRJF).

Reliving the Career of Michael Jordan

1981
1984
1984
1985
1986
1987–88
1991
1993
1994
1995
1995–96
1998
2001
2009

Earns a Scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Jordan quickly made a name for himself at UNC averaging 13.4 points per game and was named ACC Freshman of the Year. He would spend three years as a Tar Heel.
Selected by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Draft

Two players came off the board before Michael Jordan in the 1984 draft, Hakeem Olajuwon to the Houston Rockets and Sam Bowie to the Portland Trail Blazers. While Olajuwon went on to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, Bowie is perhaps best remembered for being drafted before Michael Jordan.
The Original Air Jordan Sneakers Debut

Jordan's impact on the NBA was immediate, quickly landing on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the heading "A Star Is Born," and making the All-Star team as a starter. He also landed the shoe deal of the century partnering with Nike to create the Air Jordan sneaker, an endorsement deal that impelled his career to new heights.
Rookie of the Year

The accolades continued for Jordan in his first year in the league earning Rookie of the Year honors. That year the promising young rookie who had already grabbed attention as the heir apparent to superstars like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird averaged 28.2 points per game.

Watch Michael Jordan's Rookie of the Year Award Speech
63 Points Against the Celtics in Round One of the Playoffs

In Jordan's second season he suffered a broken foot that kept him out of regular season play for all but 18 games. But his return came in time for the Bulls' first round playoff appearance against a legendary Boston Celtics team led by Larry Bird. Never one to shy away from history, Jordan put in a staggering 63 points, a playoff record.
Earns Most Valuable Player Award and Defensive Player of the Year

Jordan's 35 points per game led the league in scoring in the 1987–88 season and his 1.6 blocks and 3.16 steals helped cement his reputation as a formidable defender.

Watch Michael Jordan's MVP Presentation
Jordan's Bulls Win Their First NBA Championship

Defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, the Chicago Bulls took the series in five games and gave the world a glimpse of what was to come.
Announces His Retirement

Though very much at the top of his game in 1993, Jordan decided to retire.
Takes a Brief Sojourn Into a Career as a Baseball Player

Following Jordan's announcement of an early retirement, he sent shock waves through the sports world by signing a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.
Returns to Basketball from Retirement

After a brief hiatus, Jordan returned to the Bulls
Bulls Win 72 Games

In a year that saw Jordan win his eighth scoring title, the Bulls added Dennis Rodman to an already potent lineup, rendering them virtually impossible to beat. Rodman threw in his fifth straight rebounding title and Phil Jackson won Coach of the Year.
Bulls Win 6th NBA Championship

The Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in Jordan's final championship with the team. He also secured his sixth Finals MVP award, a record.
DC Stock / Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Stock Photo

BRGXD1 Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan drives for the basket.. Image shot 2002. Exact date unknown.

The Washington Wizards

In September of 2001, Jordan came back from his second retirement and announced that he would return to NBA to play with the Washington Wizards. During his time with the Wizards, Jordan passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in All-Star Game history. On December 29, 2001, Jordan scored 51 points against the Charlotte Hornets to become the oldest player in NBA history to reach the 50-point threshold in a game.
A New “Era” of Basketball

Michael Jordan's arrival in the NBA ushered in a new era of basketball. By 1992 when he led the U.S. Olympic Dream Team to a gold medal, he sat atop not just the National Basketball Association, but the entire sports world. By the time he finally retired from the game he had six championships, along with a seemingly endless stream of awards and records.

Founded and run by Deloris Jordan in honor of her late husband, the James R. Jordan Foundation (JRJF) is a non-profit organization that empowers children and families in underserved communities through access to educational resources and knowledge. JRJF provides a pathway out of poverty by empowering children to achieve their full potential and by leveling the playing field so they can become successful human beings and productive contributors to society. JRJF accomplishes this by creating networks of support for families and communities, motivating youth, and ensuring high-quality academic opportunities for youth in underserved communities.

The James R. Jordan Foundation

Launch Slideshow

The Michael Jordan memorabilia presented in James R. Jordan Foundation | Capsule Collection are sold by the foundation, with proceeds, including Sotheby’s Buyer’s Premium, benefiting the JRJF.

Bidding Now Open

Bidding will be open from 2–12 November, and Sotheby’s hopes that this spectacular capsule of important Michael Jordan memorabilia, including cufflinks, jerseys, and art excites our global audience towards bidding for this important cause.