Michael Jordan Was ‘Scared’ and ‘Intimidated’ When He First Met Legendary UNC Coach Dean Smith

Posted Aug 22, 2021
Before he became an NBA superstar with the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan was a star at North Carolina. He played for legendary head coach Dean Smith and learned the proper fundamentals of basketball. Jordan told SLAM Magazine in 1997 that he was pretty nervous when he met Smith for the first time. However, the two developed a strong bond. (Sportscasting.com)

Related: Basketball, Tar Heels in the NBA

Hubert Davis On UNC's ACC Tournament Exit: 'Not A Recipe For Success'
Hubert Davis: "Clemson has always been physical defensively, and one of the things I always say is you never let a defense dictate and decide...
Fri Mar 13, 2026

Another Quad 1 loss has UNC Men's Basketball likely ticketed for 6 seed
After blowing one last chance for a Quad 1 victory to impress the NCAA tournament committee, No. 19 North Carolina is likely destined to no...
Fri Mar 13, 2026

Caleb Wilson speaks to reporters for first time since season-ending injury
Caleb Wilson, who has missed UNC's last eight basketball games, was asked how he was feeling following the Tar Heels' ACC Tournament loss to Clemson...
Fri Mar 13, 2026

UNC players proud of fight in ACC Tournament, wish desperation had come earlier
For most of Thursday night, North Carolina looked out of sync. "I’m proud of our guys for fighting, but we shouldn’t have been in that...
Fri Mar 13, 2026