ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 6, 1993                   TAG: 9310060256
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Medium


JORDAN TO RETIRE FROM BASKETBALL

Michael Jordan, the world's most famous athlete and basketball's greatest player, will announce his retirement today, according to NBC and published reports.

Jordan - NBA scoring champion the last seven years, leader of the three-time champion Chicago Bulls and two-time Olympic gold-medal winner - is expected to cite his father's slaying this summer as the reason for his retirement at age 30.

"Dateline NBC," the Denver Post and the Chicago Sun-Times reported the news Tuesday night. The NBA and the Bulls declined comment.

"It's time for me to move on to something else," the Sun-Times quoted Jordan as saying. "I know a lot of people are going to be shocked by this decision and probably won't understand. But I've talked it over with my family and friends, and most of all I'm at peace with myself over the decision."

The death of his father, James, apparently robbed Jordan of his desire to play, the Post said. The elder Jordan was shot to death in his car after he pulled off a North Carolina highway to take a nap.

The Bulls scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. today to make what they called a "major announcement."

Jordan threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Tuesday night's American League Championship Playoff opener between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays baseball teams.

The Denver Post said Bulls coach Phil Jackson had confirmed that Jordan was retiring but would not say if Jordan had indicated his decision was irrevocable.

According to the newspaper, a source close to Jordan said he has told friends he just doesn't have the fire to play any more.

Jordan led the Bulls to their first NBA title in 1991 and the following year the Bulls became only the second NBA team in more than 20 years to win back-to-back championships. They won their third consecutive title last season.

Jordan's success in Olympic basketball was equally spectacular.

In 1984, before his rookie season in the NBA, he was coach Bob Knight's best player as the U.S. team went unbeaten through the basketball tournament in Los Angeles, winning the Olympic gold medal.

Jordan was back in 1992 when the Olympics allowed professional players into basketball for the first time. He, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and others made up the U.S. "Dream Team" that easily captured the gold medal at the Barcelona Games.



 by CNB