Michael Jordan Reveals the Last Time He Picked Up a Basketball

Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. For years, he was the face of the NBA and basketball in general. Anyone who knows the sport of basketball knows the name Michael Jordan. 

And yet, except for the incredible Last Dance documentary that aired during COVID, we rarely get to hear Michael Jordan talk about basketball. So, when the NBA on NBC debuted its new segment, “MJ: Insights to Excellence,” basketball fans everywhere tuned in. 

Mike Tirico interviewed Jordan, and we got an insight into what the greatest basketball player ever has been doing all these years. Does he miss the game? When was the last time he played? Jordan answered all of it.

After Jordan told Tirico that he hadn’t picked up a basketball in years, he told the story of the last time he did. While renting a house from someone during the Ryder Cup, Jordan did a meet-and-greet with the owner's family. The owner asked Jordan to shoot a free throw for his grandkids, and Jordan couldn’t refuse.

Jordan continued to reveal that shooting that free throw was one of the most nerve-racking experiences he had in a long time. For the grandkids to never have seen him play, he needed to make the shot to verify that the stories of his legend were true.

Of course, Jordan swished the shot and hasn’t picked up a basketball since. However, it isn’t for lack of want. Jordan also revealed in the interview that he wishes his body would allow him to play still; he misses the game that he loved so much and now wants to give back to it by sharing his knowledge and opinions on this NBC segment throughout the year.