From Beijing to Bucharest people like Michael Jordan. So when he suddenly retired last week, the news was reported around the world. Michael Jordan is widely considered as basketballs best player. He becomes known as Air Jordan. Jordan gained wide notice by helping to sell products, business paid him tens of millions of dollars.Michael Jordan is thirty years old. He attended the University of North Carolina. He joined the Chicago Bulls nine years ago. He led the team to the National Basketball Association Championship for the past three years. He was the top scoring player in the NBA for the past seven years. He also won Olympic gold medals.In July Jordans father was murdered in North Carolina. James Jordan and his son were close friends. Michael Jordan says it means a lot to him that his father saw his last game. But he says his fathers death was not the reason he retired. He says he had been considering the idea for a few years. Jordan is the third major NBA player to retire in the last three years, Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers retired two years ago because he has the virus that caused AIDS. Last year Larry Bird of the Bostons Seltic retired because of back problem.Jordans skill helped increase the popularity of the basketball. Sports centers sold all their seats when the Chicago Bulls played there.In announcing his retirement, Jordan said he had nothing left to prove in basketball. He says he does not have the desire to play any more. From now on he wants to spend time with his family and return to as normal a life as possible. However, he says he might consider returning to the basketball one day. Michael Jordan says he does not believe in the word "NEVER".