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With his explosive scoring ability and inspired defensive play, American professional basketball player Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to five National Basketball Association (NBA) championships (1991-1993, 1996-1997). He was also named NBA most valuable player in 1988, 1991, 1992, and 1996. Jordan retired from basketball in 1993, but after playing professional baseball for one year, he returned to the Bulls in 1995.
Hakeem OlajuwonNigerian-born professional basketball player Hakeem Olajuwon excels at both offense and defense, consistently ranking among the National Basketball Association (NBA) leaders in scoring, shot blocking, and rebounding. His dominant play led his team, the Houston Rockets, to the NBA championship in both 1994 and 1995.
Charles BarkleyAmerican basketball player Charles Barkley captured international attention with his skill and candid personality. In 1993 he led the Phoenix Suns to the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals and was named the NBA's most valuable player (MVP). He played for the United States national basketball team that won the gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.
American basketball player Patrick Ewing enjoyed an extremely successful collegiate career while playing for Georgetown University. In 1984 he was named most valuable player (MVP) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament, and the following year he was named college player of the year. Ewing was then selected by the New York Knicks as the first pick in the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft, and he went on to an outstanding professional career.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar .The all-time leading scorer in the National Basketball Association (NBA) by the time he retired in 1989, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar displays his signature shot, the sky hook, as he reaches over the outstretched arms of Dallas Maverick center James Donaldson in 1988. Abdul-Jabbar played center for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers in a career that lasted from 1969 to 1989. His achievements include 6 NBA championships, 6 most valuable player awards, and appearances in 18 NBA All-Star games.
Chris Webber of the University of Michigan drives past Duke University's Grant Hill in the final game of the 1992 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament, which Duke won 71-51. The NCAA tournament is a single-elimination, postseason collegiate competition that paires down an initial field of 64 teams to four teams. These four remaining teams, termed the Final Four, compete in semifinal games to determine which two schools will play for the prestigious NCAA national championship.
Scottie PippenChicago Bull forward Scottie Pippen, one of the most versatile players in the National Basketball Association (NBA), helped the Bulls win five NBA championships (1991-1993, 1996-1997).
David Robinson perhaps the greatest basketball player ever to play at the United States Naval Academy, had immediate success as a member of the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was named NBA rookie of the year in 1990 and NBA most valuable player (MVP) in 1995. Robinson also was named to the U. S. Olympic basketball teams in 1988, 1992, and 1996.