Mike Krzyzewski got to know Michael Jordan quite well during their time with USA Basketball despite only serving as the program's head coach long after the six-time NBA champion retired. He was an assistant on the amateur American side that won gold in 1984, then was on Chuck Daly's staff with the Dream Team eight years later.
Jordan starred for both iterations of Team USA, combining with other standout collegians in Los Angeles before taking the world by storm alongside his fellow NBA icons in Barcelona. But his relationship with Krzyzewski dates back to before their time with the national team, beginning when the latter tried to lure Jordan to Duke in 1980.
Jordan, of course, ended up signing with North Carolina instead, a recruiting loss that no doubt irked Krzyzewski more than normal given the Blue Devils' burning rivalry with the Tar Heels. Coach K certainly didn't show it in a letter written to Jordan after he chose North Carolina, though, expressing unmitigated support for the future GOAT's career going forward despite their newfound status as on-court rivals.
One month before Coach K coached his first game at Duke, he wrote a letter to a kid named Mike who he lost to rival North Carolina in a recruiting battle. pic.twitter.com/6nvTe2P6NS
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 5, 2022
“I am so sorry to hear that you no longer have an interest in learning more about Duke University, however I do want you to know that my staff and I wish you the very best in your college career. You are a fine young man and you should make an immediate impact on whatever you choose.”
Krzyzewski and Jordan are two of the most highly respected figures in all of basketball.
As Coach K prepares for his final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium against Duke's Tobacco Road rivals, it's safe to say Jordan will be rooting for the Tar Heels. Like the countless college and NBA stars Krzyzewski influenced during his epic career on the sidelines, though, Jordan will surely be pouring one out for Coach K on Saturday night, too.
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