USA: BASKETBALL - Basketball superstar Michael Jordan has two high-school aged sons following in his footsteps

Record ID: 405403

  • Title: USA: BASKETBALL - Basketball superstar Michael Jordan has two high-school aged sons following in his footsteps
  • Date: 22nd December 2006
  • Summary: JORDAN WATCHING GAME MARCUS JORDAN DRIVES FOR BASKET COACH BRYAN TUCKER ON THE SIDELINES MARCUS JORDAN STEALS BALL
  • Embargoed: 6th January 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3ZIQ98IBJW4GFDLPEA12VGTNL
  • Story Text: The Loyola Academy Ramblers, a high school basketball team from Chicago, are having an outstanding season in no small part due to a pair of brothers with an all-star pedigree.
    Jeff and Marcus Jordan, the sons of Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan, have helped their team to a 8-0 record for the season. Jeff, a senior, at 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) and Marcus, a sophmore, at 6-3 (190.5 cm) are attracting a great deal of attention. "We definitely play off each other a little bit because we know what each other will do and won't do. So if he gives me the head nod, you know it's the ally-oop. We have little signs we do. Yeah, it's just great playing off him," said Marcus.
    The Jordans' famous father attends most of their games, and even engages the refs in a bit of back and forth…he declined a request for an interview though so as not to take attention away from his sons and their teammates. Wearing shoes that bear the likeness of their father, both Jeff and Marcus are quick to credit their dad for helping take their games to a higher level. "We go over film and we watch NBA games and just analyse point guards. Just mental stuff and then he'll give me some drills and some stuff to do and Ill go out there and do them on my own. So he's definitely a big influence," says Jeff.
    The strong play from the Jordan brothers is just one reason why Loyola is undefeated this year and their coach says you can definitely see the same competitive fire in them that made Michael Jordan such a legend.
    "They can play at both ends, they can create shots for their teammates. They can score on their own if were having a hard time. And like I said, their competitive nerve that they got running through them really gives the team a spark," says coach Bryan Tucker.
    But just as there are benefits to having such a talented father, both players have also grown accustomed to the burden of expectations that comes with having the last name of Jordan.
    "Yeah, it's always tough. There's s always the pressure of being his son.But over the years, I've kind of gotten used to it and been able to look past it, Jeff mused. "Three's definitely a bulls-eye on my back, but I'm used to it now. Growing up it was a little hard, but I'm used to it now, so ti's nothing," added Marcus
    Jeff says he plans on playing college ball next year, although he Hasn't yet chosen a school. For now the goal is to make it to the state championships in down-state Illinois along with savouring the sole season in which these Jordan brothers will be playing on the same squad.
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