For RST230 Assignment #2, your task is to select a single sport discipline and provide a detailed description of its history, as well as a specific African American athlete in that discipline. Dancing is not an appropriate sport for selection.

Taking basketball as an example, it has a rich history that dates back to the early 1900s, where it was closely linked with African Americans' participation. Sadly, discrimination towards black people still existed because it had only been a short while since the Civil War had ended, and every basketball team comprised mainly white individuals. This situation changed in 1923 when the owner of the Black basketball team established the first-ever professional African American basketball team referred to as the New York Rens. The New York Rens were consistent and unstoppable with their winnings and were eventually titled in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1963. These historic strides forward served as the foundation for the renowned National Basketball Association (NBA), which was established in 1949 and remains the leading body in basketball to this day.

Several theories attempt to explain the indisputable superiority of African Americans in basketball, one of which highlights the ongoing limitations faced by black families due to racial inequality. Sports such as basketball could serve as a more accessible option, even for children born into African American families who must face the uncomfortable truth of historical injustices.

In the sport of basketball, there are many outstanding African American athletes, but two legendary players stand out, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. LeBron James, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers since 2018, stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Michael Jordan concerning basketball greatness. Born in 1984 in Ohio, LeBron was spotted by several basketball teams from a young age. He was the first basketball player to be recruited into the NBA straight from high school and currently holds the distinction of scoring the most career points in basketball history with 38,411 points. On the other hand, Michael Jordan, born in New York in 1963, is also considered one of the all-time greats with a total score of 32,292 points. He won six NBA championships between 1991 and 1998 with the Chicago Bulls and was named the Most Valuable Player six times.

Focusing on Michael Jordan, he served as the Chicago Bulls' savior when he first joined the team in 1984. At the time, the team experienced a lengthy streak of losses, but Jordan turned things around significantly, scoring 3,000 points in a single season of play. Over the 1,072 games he played while on the team, Jordan was named the Most Valuable Player six times and led them to six championships.

As for Michael Jordan's background, he was born as the fourth out of five siblings on February 17, 1963, into a family where his father, James Jordan, was a supervisor at a General Electric plant in Wilmington, North Carolina, and his mother, Delores, was a bank teller. Due to their hard work, the family was able to maintain financial stability, all the while encouraging Michael Jordan to be dedicated and hard-working. James Jordan's love for basketball led him to construct a basketball court for his son, igniting Michael's passion for the sport and competitive spirit. The family also prioritized Michael Jordan's spiritual life, attending church services every Sunday during his childhood. However, this routine was later interrupted when Michael Jordan became more successful and famous, and the spotlight shone on him more than on God. Despite his achievements as a basketball player, Michael Jordan did not want to let fame overshadow his spiritual relationship and continued his prayers privately.

Michael Jordan rose to fame as a basketball player during his time at the University of North Carolina, where he proved to be the most dominant player. Earning two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) College Player of the Year awards in 1983 and 1984, he joined the Chicago Bulls in 1984. Jordan’s talent was evident as he averaged an impressive 3,000 points per season and led the team to numerous championships between 1991 and 1998.

But Jordan wasn’t just an extraordinary athlete. In collaboration with Nike, he created the Air Jordan series, which revolutionized the intersection of fashion and basketball. The success of the series has accumulated a worth of $5.1 billion as of 2022, and Jordan himself has been hailed as the “richest athlete” with a net worth of $2.2 billion. He redefined basketball as not only a sport, but a cultural phenomenon.

Although Jordan retired from the NBA in 2003 after a remarkable fifteen-season career, his impact on basketball continues to live on. His legacy has transformed him into a role model for millions across all sports, particularly African Americans, inspiring young athletes to pursue their dreams and become elite athletes like he was. Jordan has also shown how one can build an iconic, profitable brand beyond sports, making him a symbol of excellence and success. Truly, Michael Jordan is a living legend whose influence will always be felt in basketball and beyond.