If you’re not old enough to have witness Michael Jordan at the University of North Carolina, then you probably had no idea that the man responsible for the Nike and Air Jordan boom, once wore Converse.
Someone bought a pair of those Jordan worn, Converse kicks at an auction for $33k. wore the white pair of the Pro Leather model during the 1982 NCAA Championship game when he hit the game-winner against Georgetown.
The legend of Michael Jordan jump started as a Freshman at the University of North Carolina. With the 1982 NCAA Championship on the line, Jordan hit a mid-range jumper with 15 seconds remaining to secure the national championship for the Tar Heels. The clutch jumper was a preview into the career of what would be the best basketball player ever to step on the hardwood. On the tongue of each sneaker is a “CONVERSE ALL STAR” manufacturer’s tag. The baby blue sneakers have a white Converse logo on each side of the sneaker. On the back of each sneaker reads, “CONVERSE” in white with the logo above. Jordan signed the right-footed sneaker in pen with the added inscription, “Best Wishes”, and in our opinion rates a 5 overall as the signature is faded. Original lacing included. The sneakers show great signs of use with creasing throughout and signs of wear towards the front of the sneakers and near the ankle area. These sneakers are properly tagged, were presented to us as game-used during Jordan’s freshman year at UNC and in our opinion show excellent use. Our consignor was a high school teammate of Jordan and visited Jordan during his freshman year at UNC. There is a newspaper article documenting the event. These sneakers were personally signed and gifted to our consignor from Jordan after a postseason workout in Chapel Hill. They are a much more rare version of North Carolina University’s “Converse” pro leather sneakers because of their Tar Heel blue color. Accompanied by photos of the two as teenagers in Jordan’s dorm room, along with a Christmas card Jordan sent to our consignor and his family. This is the earliest known, fully documented pair of Jordan sneakers that exist. Accompanied by a full JSA LOA as well as a detailed letter from our consignor.