How Michael Jordan Turned Rejection into Air Jordan Glory
Failure is Inevitable, But Giving Up is a Choice
In his sophomore year, Michael Jordan — five times NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP)— was cut from his high school basketball team.
Why?
Here’s the thing: Michael wasn’t exactly a towering titan at that point.
He was shorter than the other guys at around 5' 10'’, and on the skinnier side. The coach selected another sophomore — Jordan’s close friend, measuring 6’ 7” — for the varsity team.
Jordan was placed on junior varsity instead.
How To Handle Failure
It stung, of course.
It was a heartbreaking rejection for Jordan. But all rejections come with a pivotal decision.
He could quit basketball and focus on other sports, as he excelled at baseball and football as well. Or he could accept his spot on the JV team, work hard, and try again the next year.
We all know what he did, don't we? He chose the latter.
