Michael Jordan's Parents: Height & Family Details

How does a man reach the pinnacle of athletic achievement, standing head and shoulders above his peers, when the very people who gave him life seem to defy the physical gifts he possesses? Michael Jordan, the name synonymous with basketball greatness, achieved a height that seemingly contradicted the genetics of his immediate family.

Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest NBA player of all time, is a phenomenon. The 6'6" former Chicago Bulls star didn't come from a family of giants. In fact, the disparity between his stature and that of his parents, James and Deloris Jordan, is striking. His father, James R. Jordan, was no more than 5'9", and his mother, Deloris Jordan, stood at approximately 5'5". This stark contrast leads to a fascinating question: How did Michael Jordan become the towering icon we know and revere?

Attribute Details
Full Name Michael Jeffrey Jordan
Born February 17, 1963, Brooklyn, New York
Height 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m)
Parents James R. Jordan, Deloris Jordan
Siblings 5 total, including older brother James R. Jordan Jr., and younger siblings, Larry Jordan, and Roslyn Jordan
High School Laney High School (Wilmington, North Carolina)
College University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
NBA Draft 1984, 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls
NBA Teams Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
Major Achievements 6-time NBA Champion, 6-time NBA Finals MVP, 5-time NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, 14-time NBA All-Star
Known For Dominant athleticism, scoring ability, clutch performances, competitive drive
Other Ventures Business owner, owner of the Charlotte Hornets
Reference NBA.com

The narrative of Michael Jordan's early life reveals that he was not always the towering figure we know today. As a child, he was of average height. When he started high school at Laney High in 1979, he stood at 5'8". He was even passed over for the varsity team because of his height at the time. Jordan hit a growth spurt after his sophomore year, eventually reaching his iconic height of 6'6".

Michael Jordan's father, James R. Jordan Sr., was a significant figure in his life. Born on July 31, 1936, in Wallace, North Carolina, James was more than just a parent; he was a supporter and a source of strength. He was present at the height of Michael's career, including the 1993 NBA Finals victory, his third consecutive championship. Tragically, just five weeks later, James Jordan's life was cut short in a shocking event. On July 23, 1993, James Jordan was murdered. He was shot and killed while taking a nap in his car off US Highway 74 near Lumberton, North Carolina. This event captured the attention of millions worldwide, forever linking the personal tragedy with the public persona of a basketball legend.

The family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, when Michael was very young. His father worked as a general electric plant supervisor, and his mother worked at a bank. During his childhood, MJ wanted to grow tall so that it can help him with basketball. At the age of 15, Mike was at his dad's height. While he was on pace to become the tallest in the jordan household, he wouldn't be tall enough to be a basketball star.

The murder of James Jordan not only marked a personal tragedy but also highlighted the impact this father had on his son's career. Throughout Michael Jordan's glory in the NBA, his father was with him every step of the way. His fathers influence extended beyond the court, shaping Michael into the man and the athlete he became.

The fact that Michael Jordan is an outlier athletically is obvious. But his height also sets him apart from his immediate family. Jordan mentioned a distant cousin over six feet, but that couldn't have possibly affected his height more than his parents. The height of Michael Jordan's father, James Jordan Sr., is not widely documented or publicly available. While it is known that he was shorter than his son, Michael Jordan, who stands at 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm), the exact measurements of James Jordan Sr. remain somewhat elusive. Given what we know about Jordans parents and siblings, it is indeed strange that michael reached the height that he did, and it could be characterized as anomalous. His mother, Deloris Jordan, was approximately 5'5" tall.

Genetics plays a significant role in determining height, but its rarely a simple equation. Height is a hereditary trait influenced by multiple genes, so the contribution of genetics alone is not the sole factor in determining Michael Jordans exceptional height. The environment also plays a role, with nutrition and overall health during childhood and adolescence impacting growth potential. So, while Michael's height seems to defy the average measurements of his parents, it is also a testament to his unique genetic combination and the conditions that allowed him to reach his full potential.

While on the David Letterman show in 1989, Michael Jordan was asked about how his got to such a height when his immediate family is nowhere close to reaching his stature. It's a question that has intrigued fans for years, and the answer, like the man himself, is multifaceted. The fact that Michael Jordan hit a growth spurt after his sophomore year is well documented. Its not surprising that jordan was not very tall at an early age.

The mystery of Michael Jordan's height, and how it diverged from his family, is a compelling illustration of how extraordinary individual traits can arise. It also brings up a poignant reminder of how much his father, James, influenced his growth and success, not only as a basketball player but as a man. His father, James Jordan, stood at a height of 59, and his mother, Deloris Jordan, was approximately 55 tall. Ultimately, Michael Jordans height is another facet of the legend, a symbol of how talent and determination can flourish in the face of conventional expectations.

Jordan measured 64.5 and 64.75 so he isnt 65,5. 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) michael jeffrey jordan his first since his father's murder, jordan reacted emotionally, clutching the game ball and crying. Michael jordan stands at 6 feet 6 inches or 1.98 m.

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