What condition did WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes have to meet in order to name her son after the “MJ” of Women’s Basketball, Michael Jordan?
Basketball fans often view the sport as a sacred practice and consider the court to be their holy ground. As a result, it is not uncommon for them to give their children names inspired by their favorite players. However, it was unexpected when WNBA icon Sheryl Swoopes chose to name her son after the legendary Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the greatest players in basketball history. Jordan, on the other hand, set a requirement that could only be met by Swoopes’ son.
In case you are not familiar, Sheryl Swoopes is a retired American basketball player who was the inaugural signee of the WNBA. She also captained her team, the Houston Comets, to victory in the 1997 WNBA championship. Let’s examine what occurred when she shared her plans to baptize with Michael Jordan.
What were Michael Jordan’s words?
The renowned WNBA player remembers discussing her plan with Michael Jordan, who then added a stipulation to it.
“I recall being pregnant in this photo and asking him if I could name my son after him. He placed his hands on my stomach and replied that the only way my son could be named after him is if he had a great jump shot. I distinctly remember telling him, I may be saying this now, but my son will have a better jump shot than you ever did.”
Swoopes’ child, Jordan Jackson, currently plays for the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the NCAA. He also wears the number 22 jersey, just like his mother. He must have been proud to see her name permanently etched in the steel beams, according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Swoopes was the leader of the Red Raiders when they won their only NCAA championship.
On August 13, 2004 in the United States, the KRT Sports Story titled “OLY-BASKETBALL” featured a photo of Sheryl Swoopes from Team USA during a basketball game against New Zealand at the 2004 Olympics. The photo was taken by Nhat V. Meyer of the San Jose Mercury News. This game took place on August 14, 2004. This information was archived in the 2004 News Archive under the date of August 13, 2004 and the code ZUMAm67.
According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Jackson started practicing dribbling at a young age and was given basketballs and hoops as gifts. When he started playing, he imitated former Houston Rockets players Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley, and also wore headbands and wristbands.
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After making a dunk in his debut tournament with Ford’s team, he graciously signed an autograph and received his initial scholarship opportunity from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. He most recently played in the NCAA in the 2019-20 season, where he achieved a impressive 24 points against the California Baptists Lancers, leading his team to a narrow 79-76 victory.
What was Swoopes like as a player?
Swoopes’ jersey was honored by the Red Raiders after her impressive display led the Texas Tech Raiders to win the highly coveted title. By 2010, she held records in single-game scoring, single-season scoring, and highest championship scoring average for basketball. Her accomplishments extend beyond the NCAA to the Olympics, where she earned a gold medal with the USA Women’s team in 1996. Due to these successes, she has earned the nickname “Lady MJ.”
Therefore, Swoopes chose to name her son after the most esteemed and current basketball icon, but Jackson claims that it did not burden him greatly. Additionally, the comical stipulation set by Jordan also demonstrates his support for the decision.
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What is your opinion of Jordan’s name? How do you predict Jordan’s performance in the upcoming season? Do you think he will achieve the same level of success as his mother or Michael? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
What requirement did Michael Jordan establish when WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes requested to name her son after him, earning her the title of “MJ of Women’s Basketball”?
