Michael Jordan was drafted in 1984. Specifically, the Chicago Bulls selected him third overall in the first round of the NBA Draft on June 19, 1984.

Draft Details

Jordan, fresh off a stellar college career at the University of North Carolina where he won the Naismith College Player of the Year in 1984, entered the draft as one of the top prospects. The Houston Rockets picked Hakeem Olajuwon first, and the Portland Trail Blazers controversially took Sam Bowie second—famously passing on Jordan because they already had Clyde Drexler at guard and needed a center. Bulls GM Rod Thorn made the call, relayed through a young sales rep named Keith Brown who announced it at the draft in New York.

Imagine the scene: A 21-year-old Jordan, still buzzing from his game-winning NCAA shot in 1982, steps into the pros. The Bulls were a struggling franchise, but this pick changed everything—Jordan won Rookie of the Year and quickly became the league's biggest star.

Key Facts

  • Date : June 19, 1984
  • Pick : No. 3 overall (1st round)
  • Team : Chicago Bulls
  • Preceding Picks : Hakeem Olajuwon (No. 1, Rockets), Sam Bowie (No. 2, Trail Blazers)
  • College : University of North Carolina (averaged 17.7 PPG over three seasons)

Draft Slot| Team| Player
---|---|---
1| Houston Rockets| Hakeem Olajuwon 3
2| Portland Trail Blazers| Sam Bowie 3
3| Chicago Bulls| Michael Jordan 17
4| Dallas Mavericks| Sam Perkins 1

Trending Context & Legacy

Even in February 2026, Jordan's draft remains a hot topic in NBA forums and retrospectives, often cited as the "steal of the century" given Bowie's injury-plagued career. Fans still debate: Would Portland have won titles with MJ instead of Drexler? His arrival sparked the Bulls' dynasty, six championships, and globalized the NBA. No recent news shifts this—it's etched in history.

TL;DR : Drafted June 19, 1984, 3rd overall by the Bulls—launching the GOAT's legend.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.