Way back in the day, before Patrick Ewing and Michael Jordan became NBA legends, the two of them met up at the University of North Carolina when Ewing was considering where to go to college.
As related by the Charlotte Observer, Ewing was there at Chapel Hill on a recruiting visit when Jordan was attending. Not surprisingly, Ewing and Jordan got into a one-on-one matchup, both young men wearing street clothes.
“I did go on a visit and Michael was there at the same time. That was the first time I met him. Michael talked trash that day and he still hasn’t stopped,” Ewing told the Charlotte Observer. “We played in street clothes because Michael just kept trash-talking. I don’t even remember who won, but I do remember dunking on him.”
You can take it to the bank that Jordan remembers who won. Ewing also noted that Jordan would win if they went after it these days, noting Jordan is “in a little better shape these days.”
He also related another interesting tidbit from that first visit. UNC head coach at the time, Dean Smith, told him Georgetown would be the best choice if he didn’t choose North Carolina. It’s a good thing he listened to the legendary head coach.
After their college days, Jordan and Ewing had many battles against one another at the professional level, with Jordan and the Chicago Bulls winning many of them over Ewing’s New York Knicks. Ewing is now an assistant coach with the Charlotte Hornets, which is the team that Jordan owns.
It’s too bad nobody had their cell phone out for some video back in the day when the two went head to head in street clothes. Such a battle would likely go viral in today’s world.