Footage Emerges of Michael Jordan's First Free Throw After Making Return to Court
Footage of Michael Jordan swishing a free throw after admitting it was the most nervous he has been in years has emerged online.
Jordan made his NBC debut on Wednesday after signing a broadcast deal with the network for the new NBA season.
He has his own segment called 'MJ: Insights to Excellence', where he revealed he hadn't picked up basketball in years before he did so while renting a house during the 2025 Ryder Cup.
The house included a basketball court and the owner asked him to hit a free throw, ramping up the pressure by bringing his grandkids.
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Jordan insists it was the most nervous he has been in years, having not picked up a ball in years.
Despite the nerve-racking moment, the Chicago Bulls icon not only sunk the free throw but also swished it - a shot that goes through the hoop without touching the rim or backboard.
And Jordan wasn't lying about swishing the free throw in the front of the kids as a clip of the moment has emerged on social media and gone viral.
The video shows the 62-year-old teaching the kids about a rule that was introduced because of Wilt Chamberlain before swishing a free throw.
"Lord have mercy, please make this," he said right before doing so.
His effort was greeted by cheers by the people who gathered on the backyard basketball hoop of a house he had rented for the Ryder Cup.
Speaking to Mike Tirico, Jordan explained: "I haven't picked up a ball in years. You don't see a hoop anywhere round here.
“I was at the Ryder Cup and I rented a house from the owner. He came over to do pictures and he had grandkids.
“I was doing a meet and greet - thanking for them for allowing me to stay in the house - and he had a basketball court.
“He says, 'I want you to shoot one free throw'. I said, 'Really? I already paid for the house'.
"When I stepped up to shoot the free throw, it's the most nervous I've been in years.
“Those kids heard the stories from their parents about what I did 30 years ago. So, their expectation is 30 years prior and I haven't touched a basketball."
Asked if he swished it, Jordan confidently replied: "Absolutely.
"That made my whole week. Because I was able to please that kid - not knowing if I could."
Topics: Michael Jordan, NBA, Basketball
Nasir Jabbar