28 Years Ago Today: The World Meets Jordan

CLEVELAND - His family had known him for 19 years. His North Carolina community knew him well and college hoops fans knew a little about the guy, too. But with the flick of a wrist and the swish of a net, Michael Jordan became a national superstar 28 years ago today.

Has it been that long?

Jordan, as a highly skilled freshman for the University of North Carolina drilled a 16-foot jumper in the deciding game of the 1982 NCAA tournament, giving the Tarheels the national championship over Big East power Georgetown. Since Carolina coach Dean Smith disallowed his players to dominate, especially freshmen, the MJ of '82 wasn't the MJ that the NBA would come to know and idolize. He wasn't even UNC's top star. That honor went to James Worthy, who played his final collegiate game that night in the New Orleans Superdome; a symbolic passing of the torch to Michael of sorts.

After Jordan's historic shot, his profile immediately became elevated. Suddenly, he was the crowd favorite and he used that greater visibility to become College Player of the Year in both 1983 and 1984. Looking back from the vantage point of today, it seems to be a marvelous beginning for Michael given the fact that he became not only the most iconic and perhaps greatest figure in basketball history, but also a crunchtime mastermind.

We all have that great night in 1982 to thank for that.