What Position Did Michael Jordan Play in Basketball: NBA, College and High School

What position was Michael Jordan? It isn’t really something you really think about. What you think about is all of the amazing moments you had growing up watching him. Game winners in the NBA finals and record-setting scoring performances.

Logically you knew he was playing guard sometimes and at 6’6 probably some small forward. But I hadn’t really thought about what position he played at certain points of his career.

I got really lucky and was able to see him play against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in February of 1997. I know I still have the ticket stub and am motivated to find it so I can sell it to mega collector Andrew Goldberg (trying to collect a stub from every Jordan NBA game) someday.

Let’s get into what positions Michael Jordan played during his career.

Also, Check out this post for other Michael Jordan quotes.

1. Shooting Guard

Michael Jordan’s primary position throughout his college career with North Carolina and during his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls was at shooting guard. The shooting guard typically gets to concentrate on scoring by either setting up for outside shots or taking their defender to the hoop on the dribble. Jordon could kill you in either facet of that game. Especially on the bounce earlier in his career. Both Doug Collins (Jordan’s coach in the 80s) and Phil Jackson (coach in the 90s) felt most comfortable having him play at the two.

Not only did Jordan play multiple positions throughout his time in the NBA, he excelled, no matter where they put him on the court. He could “flip the switch” and turn his game up no matter if at guard or forward.

Michael Jordan is regarded by most people as the greatest basketball player to ever step onto the court. While most people have seen highlights of his greatest dunks, tongue hanging out, or his infamous fade away, many don’t know he played more than just shooting guard in his career.

Another top 50 NBA player of all time, Scottie Pippen, Small Forward for the Bulls, allowed Jordan to stay at his most effective position and rack up scoring titles and multiple games over 60 points in his career.

2. Small Forward

It is well documented in Michael Jordan’s documentary “The Last Dance” that Jordan retired from the Chicago Bulls after the 1997-98 NBA season. He then returned to the NBA team Washington Wizards in 2001.

Jordan could definitely operate at the small forward position and spent some time there as he got into his later years with the Bulls. Now that he was older and not nearly as explosive it would be his most effective position for the rest of his career.

During his tenure with the Wizards, his mid-range jump shot was in use much more than driving to the hoop. By today’s standards, he may be a little small at 6’6″ to play the 3 spot but he was just fine back in the early 2000s.

3. Point Guard

It is little known that Jordan had one of the best runs of his career as a point guard. Bulls coach, Doug Collins moved Michael Jordan to point guard down the stretch of the 1988-89 season with significant results. Some credit assistant coach Don Nelson for the move. Coming in at 6’6, he was an outsized point guard, to say the least.

Jordan excelled and had a triple-double in 10 of the last 11 games of the season. You may not remember Michael Jordan as a point guard. But, based on the numbers you see below he could have been one of the greatest at point guard as well.

This Is Why We Love Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan’s Top Scoring Games

Jordan Position in College

Jordan played shooting guard while playing for Dean Smith at North Carolina. He had so much talent come through North Carolina during his time there. This list included Brad Doherty, Kenny Smith, Sam Perkins, James Worthy, and Jimmy Black to name a few. As a result, there was no problem in keeping him in his most productive position of shooting guard. He was an all-American first team and North Carolina was excellent grooming to become a professional basketball player.

What Position Did Michael Jordan Play in Baseball

Jordan played outfield for the join the Chicago White Sox’s AA minor league team, the Birmingham Barons. He batted .202 in his only season in baseball. He tied for the lead in outfield errors with 11 but stole 30 bases and drew 51 walks (not bad for someone 6’6″)

Many forget Jordan tried baseball after his first retirement from the NBA. Since we are doing full accounting of his positions we thought we should add his time as an outfielder in baseball.

Conclusion

Not only did Jordan play multiple positions throughout his time in the NBA, but he also excelled, no matter where they put him on the court. He could “flip the switch” and turn his game up no matter if it was at guard or forward. For seasons Jordan wowed us and feel lucky to have seen Michael Jordan play. He was an NBA most valuable player 5 times.

Check out our full list of NBA teams and oldest NBA players.

Troy Wallace

Troy Wallace is Certified Basketball Speed Specialist and shares his experiences in trying to stay as healthy as possible to stay on the court. He is active in coaching youth basketball in YMCA, Team Work Sports Nebraska, and, currently, in the Jr. Warriors program in Omaha, NE. Visit Troy's Full Author Bio Page or email him directly.

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