The Dagger - NCAAB

Jeffrey Jordan is Michael Jordan's son. That little proposition, as it relates to basketball, can not be an easy one for any offspring to undertake.

It's not just that your dad was a great NBA basketball player. Your dad was the single greatest basketball player who ever lived. Your entire life, you're not just a classmate to your friends. You're the son of their hero. Imagine that! For all of the sundry benefits of being Jordan's son -- the money, the basketball shoes, the unimaginably awesome toys you'd get as a kid -- the specter of anticipation, of "hey, that's Michael Jordan's son out there" would haunt you for as long as you played basketball.

It appears those days are over for Jordan's eldest offspring. Jeffrey Jordan, a walk-on-turned-scholarship-athlete at Illinois, has apparently decided to hang up his balling kicks for good:

"I loved playing for the Fighting Illini and appreciate the support I was given by my teammates, coaches and the great fans here," Jordan said. "But I have come to the point where I'm ready to focus on life after basketball. I will concentrate on earning my degree from the University of Illinois and the opportunities that await upon graduating."

And good for him. Though it is a bit of an odd decision. Jordan went to school as a walk-on before earning a scholarship spot and slightly more minutes from Illinois coach Bruce Weber in his sophomore season. Why quit now? Perhaps the hassle of being Jordan's son on the basketball court factored in, but maybe not. Maybe Jeffrey is just tired of playing basketball. He certainly wouldn't be the first.

I have no idea. But I do know that it leaves Marcus all on his lonesome in the college game. Family honor's riding on you, kid. No pressure.

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  1. Baker
    1. Posted by Baker Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    Good for Jeffery. It's too much pressure living up to such high expectations
    Good luck to him!
  2. Angel
    2. Posted by Angel Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    poor kid never really had a choice. Either quit or be considered a disgrace, because he cant fill his dad's shoes in the court. He took the right choice..
  3. FozzieBear
    3. Posted by FozzieBear Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    I get the "quits hoops" part of the headline, but where's the part where he leaves Illinois?
    Your headline makes it sound like had a breakdown of some kind and quit school.
  4. zohanballer
    4. Posted by zohanballer Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:54 pm EDT

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    poor mike
  5. Jourdan G
    5. Posted by Jourdan G Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:54 pm EDT

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    4th! Good choice for him though
  6. galaga_zee
    6. Posted by galaga_zee Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:55 pm EDT

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    Maybe if he was a little bit taller, and his dad wasn't leaning over to take a picture with him, he'd be a decent basketball player. Anyhow, good luck, Jeff. A 4 year degree will never make you as much money as a professional b-ball player. Get a degree in anthropology. Starting out pay is 24k a year:)
  7. Joseph
    7. Posted by Joseph Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    Much respect to buckle down and focus on a degree.Were athletics make his grades or concentration suffer? Either way,he seems to have his priorities in order.i just wonder what he is majoring in.I don't think the headline does the story THAT much justice.however,it was cool to read that he said this--"But I have come to the point where I'm ready to focus on life after basketball. I will concentrate on earning my degree from the University of Illinois and the opportunities that await upon graduating."
  8. Josh
    8. Posted by Josh Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    I agree with Fozzie: Jordan's statement about pursuing his degree contradicts your article's title. It's a problem and it needs to be fixed.
  9. JWo
    9. Posted by JWo Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:57 pm EDT

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    It's great that he's being true to himself. That already makes him an outstanding young man.
  10. james
    10. Posted by james Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:57 pm EDT

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    fozzie the title says he quit the basketball team
  11. charlie b
    11. Posted by charlie b Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:57 pm EDT

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    who cares what people says
  12. Liddell Fan
    12. Posted by Liddell Fan Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:58 pm EDT

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    I am glad he left. Wasn't any good. His brother is better. Hail Purdue!!!
  13. wafflebucks
    13. Posted by wafflebucks Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:58 pm EDT

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    He shouldn't be expected to fill his daddy shoes. Why would anyone think he would be a disgrace because he didn't play like his dad? Basketball just isn't his thing and he is making a choice that's best for him.
  14. Adam G
    14. Posted by Adam G Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:59 pm EDT

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    Who cares who your dad is? It doesn't stop thousands of kids anywhere else. There aren't my kids of superstars that surpass there parent in the sport they play. So go out and do your best, and have fun. Quit worrying about what people say. Great advise Baker/DX4LIFE, when the going gets tough these two idiots say "Quit"
  15. Ace
    15. Posted by Ace Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:00 pm EDT

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    That's ridiculous!! Just "leave" the basketball program at Illinois and you're Jordan's kid? If being the son of the best basketball player ever is pressure, then I'd like to be in your shoes. Make the choice not to try and duplicate what your father did, but how to become your own player on the court.
    Get a degree, sure; I've got one too. But believe me if I could play on a professional level at ANY sport I would do that first before using my education as a secondary career.
    That's just dumb, kid.
  16. Kenneth
    16. Posted by Kenneth Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:00 pm EDT

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    Damn, poor kid
  17. ClarenceM
    17. Posted by ClarenceM Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    Had no choice fa real.....did the right thing....be good at something else
  18. DIAMOND
    18. Posted by DIAMOND Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:00 pm EDT

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    I think that's great! It is unfair for anyone to hold him to the same standards as his father.
    He is his own person and apparently has his own mind. Leave to the media to focus on him quitting basketball and basically ignoring that his desire is to pursue a career and an education. Good for him !
  19. Tony m
    19. Posted by Tony m Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:01 pm EDT

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    dont worry j.j only God can judge u dont worry bout the haters bloggin
  20. Brian
    20. Posted by Brian Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:01 pm EDT

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    Sounds like a little spoiled brat trying to get attention if you ask me, he needs to get back out there and kick some butt and not quit, he has the best coach in the world!!!
  21. dthom7
    21. Posted by dthom7 Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:02 pm EDT

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    A boy has to step out from behind his fathers shadow in order to be the man he wants to be.
  22. NUN YA BIZNEZ
    22. Posted by NUN YA BIZNEZ Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:02 pm EDT

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    Can you imagine the undue, unrealistic, and unnecessary pressure that has been put on him by "OTHERS"! Coming from a family of "neighbor hood" legends was bad enough, but being the son of " The Greatest of All Time" has got to be horrible. Besides, in my small universe, MAGIC Johnson was the greatest basketball player of all time. Just my opinion.... and opinions are like .......gas. Everybody gets it, and it stinks to those we share it with.
  23. Klyde L
    23. Posted by Klyde L Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:02 pm EDT

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    like origami ... folding under pressure

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