Michael Jordan is regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, and you will have a hard time finding people to disagree with that. He was the ultimate competitor, flashy, athletic and when you needed a shot, there was no other person you would turn to than Jordan.
Jordan retired from the game of basketball for 14 years, but his presence is still felt by players who emulate his many iconic moves or to the players who rock his very iconic kicks.
In 1984 Nike gave a young Jordan a five-year contract for $500,000 per year, which he grew into what is now a Jordan Brand Empire. There is an abundance of star players across multiple sports who signed with the Jordan Brand team. We are going to take a look at the top 20 Jordan Brand Athletes of all-time (besides Jordan himself). All of these athletes get/got the chance to wear signature Air Jordan’s with exclusive colorways, signature Jumpman sneakers, and for a select few their very own Jordan Brand model.
20 Eddie Jones
Eddie Jones began his career in Hollywood with the Los Angeles Lakers where he would earn two NBA All-Star appearances. But he was also one of the first athletes/endorsers to sign with the Jordan Brand when it first launched in 1997. In that same year, Jones would average 17 points a game and make his first appearance in the NBA All-Star game.
Notable Jordans Worn: Jumpman Pro Quick, Jumpman Team 1, Jumpman Team 2, Air Jordan Exclusives
19 Michael Finley
Michael Finley was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1995 with the 21st overall pick but is most known for the time he spent with the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs. Finley was also apart of the first initial Team Jordan athletes in 1997. A former USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year Finley would go on to earn two NBA All-Star appearances with the Mavs in 2000 and 2001. He would win his only NBA title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2007.
Notable Jordans Worn: Jumpman Team 1, Jumpman Pro Shake, Air Jordan Exclusives
18 Ray Allen
Ray Allen aka Jesus Shuttlesworth was the youngest of the inaugural Team Jordan athletes in 1997, but he is the one who played the longest and has the most accolades. A ten-time All-Star and a two-time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, Allen is known for making the most three-pointers in NBA history. Plus his fantastic clutch three-pointer in the 2013 NBA Finals to send game six into overtime. His sneaker game was one of the best with many Air Jordan Player Exclusives like his Red and Gold Air Jordan 11’s.
Notable Jordans Worn: Jumpman Team 1, Jumpman Team 2, Jumpman All-Star, Air Jordan Retro, Air Jordan Exclusives
17 Mike Bibby
In 1997 while Jordan Brand was putting together its first group of endorsers, a young Mike Bibby was leading his Arizona Wildcats to an NCAA National Title over the University of Kentucky. In 1998 Bibby was selected second overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies. After two years of success with the Team Jordan Athletes, the brand decided to expand adding a few more players including Bibby. Although he was not able to make an All-Star team or win an NBA championship, Bibby was a vital part of some grand battles during the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings rivalry games.
Notable Jordans Worn: Jumpman Team 2, Jumpman Team Masterpiece, Jumpman Pro Shake, Air Jordan Exclusive
16 Roy Jones Jr
A focal point of the Team Jordan expansion in 1999 was to add more athletes especially ones who were stars or soon to star in other sports. Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. was one of those athletes added to the Team Jordan roster. Jones is a former six-time World Champion in four weight classes, and also earned a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. During 1999 Jones became the first Boxer to unify the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles at the light heavyweight class in 16 years.
Notable Jordans Worn: Air Jordan Boxer, Jordan Trunner LX
15 Randy Moss
Randy Moss became the first NFL player to sign with Team Jordan in 1999. Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 21st pick in the 1998 Draft, Moss took the league by storm. He led the NFL with the most receiving touchdowns in his rookie season, made his first Pro-Bowl and was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. For 16 seasons Moss terrorized NFL defenses, and he did it all in Jordan Brand cleats including his own model named the Jumpman Super Freak.
Notable Jordans Worn: Jumpman trifecta, Jordan Mossified, Jumpman Vindicate, Air Jordan Exclusives
14 Derek Jeter
Had Derek Jeter been more of a power hitter and produced some flashier numbers during his career he probably would be considered the Michael Jordan of baseball. He was the ultimate competitor and when you needed a clutch play at the plate or in the field “The Captain” was there for you. Jeter was the third non-NBA athlete of Team Jordan when it expanded in 1999. Jeter was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1996 and would help the Yankees earn a World Series in his first full MLB season. The Captain would go onto to win four more World Series, plus 14 All-Star appearances, five Gold Glove Awards, and five Silver Slugger Awards.
Notable Jordans Worn: Jumpman Jeter Turn 2, Jumpman Jeter Jet, Jumpman Jeter Clutch, Jeter Legend Elite
13 Marvin Harrison
Marvin Harrison is a Super Bowl Champion, has eight Pro Bowl appearances and led the NFL in touchdown receptions in 2005. He spent his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts where he and quarterback Peyton Manning would torch the NFL. Harrison could be seen sporting some of the most classic retro Jordans on and off the field.
Notable Jordans Worn: Air Jordan 3, Air Jordan 14, Air Jordan 13
12 Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson is a legend in the NFL especially for his time with the Oakland Raiders. Woodson spent the Majority of his career with the Raiders but left for the Green Bay Packers in 2006 in search of his first Super Bowl. He would finally achieve his goal in the 2010 season when the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. He won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1998 and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. The nine-time Pro Bowler can be seen rocking some exclusive retro jordans while locking down your teams favorite wide receiver.
Notable Jordans Worn: Air Jordan 6, Air Jordan 9. Air Jordan 12
11 CC Sabathia
CC Sabathia is an AL CY Young award winner (2007) and a World Series Champion (2009). The left-hander began his career with the Cleveland Indians in 2001, and he would go 17-5 in his first MLB season. He would follow that with four straight double-digit win seasons. In 2009 Sabathia signed a lucrative seven years $161 million contract with the New York Yankees and he would be their star pitcher that helped capture their 27th World Series. During every start, you can see Sabathia wearing a pair of retro Air Jordans.
Notable Jordans Worn: Air Jordan 12, Air Jordan 11, Air Jordan 9, Air Jordan 4
10 Earl Thomas
Earl Thomas is a top five free safety in the NFL who is excellent in coverage but will also come down and lay a hard hit on his opponent. Thomas was taken with the 14th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He is a crucial member of the legion of boom and a big reason for there Super Bowl-winning season in 2013. While this season has been rough and many are speculating about Thomas’ future with the Seahawks. You can bet that no matter what jersey he puts on he will be wearing some fresh Jordan cleats and ready to lay someone out.
9 Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin the National College Player of the Year(2009) was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2009 NBA Draft. Due to injury, he did not make his official NBA debut until 2010-11 season and boy did he show off. It was like Griffin was made for Hollywood as he would go on to win NBA Rookie of the Year put on a fantastic show at the NBA Dunk Contest and star in some hilarious commercials. In 2012 Griffin signed with Jordan Brand.
Notable Jordans Worn: Jordan Super.Fly, Air Jordan Exclusives
8 Andre Ward
Andre Ward is one of the best boxers in the sport and has held multiple World Titles in two weight classes. He was the unified WBA, WBC middleweight champion from 2009-2015. In the 2004 Olympics, Ward took home a Gold Medal and would later become a professional boxer. Ward signed with Jordan Brand in 2013 and could be seen in Jordan boxing boots and shorts in every fight since. In 2017 Ward retired at age 33 with an undefeated record of 32-0
Notable Jordans Worn: Air Jordan 5 Boxing Shoe, Jordan Brand Boxing Boots
7 Manny Machado
Manny Machado is an All-Star third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles and is one of the up and coming young stars in MLB. With excellent fielding ability and the power to crush baseballs, Machado is going to be a very hot commodity when he hits the free agency market. Machado signed with the Jordan Brand team in 2014. Since then Machado has been lacing up some awesome cleats.
Notable Jordans Worn: Air Jordan 6, Air Jordan 12, Air Jordan 4
6 Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony has not had the team success throughout his career in the NBA, but the small forward has been a superstar in this league for a long time. After leading Syracuse University to an NCAA National Title in 2003, the freshman declared for the draft. Anthony was selected third overall by the Denver Nuggets. While Lebron James and many others signed with brands like Nike and Adidas, Anthony became the first rookie to sign with Jordan Brand with his own signature shoe already in the works. This season Melo’s signature line became the fifth-longest in NBA history.
Notable Jordans Worn: Jordan Carmelo 1.5, Air Jordan Melo 5.5, Jordan Melo M3-M15
5 Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler just like Michael Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls. But unlike Jordan, Butler was not expected to be the great player he has become. In his second season with the Bulls, Butler averaged only 8.6 points game. Now Butler has become one of the premier scorers in the NBA averaging 20 plus points a game the last four seasons. Butler signed with Team Jordan in 2015 and has been a focal point of the brand since.
Notable Jordans Worn: Air Jordan 30, Air Jordan 31, Air Jordan 32, Air Jordan Exclusives
4 Maya Moore
Maya Moore is not the only female athlete signed with Jordan Brand, but she was the first female to do so. She is also the most noticeable and by far the most decorated athlete of any of the Jordan Brand members. Moore has won WNBA Rookie of the Year, WNBA MVP, she is a two-time NCAA Champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, four-time WNBA Champion, and the list just goes on. Moore signed with Jordan Brand right out of college in 2011 and has been one of the brands main focal points in recent years with many exclusive sneakers. Do not be surprised if Maya gets her own signature shoe with Jordan Brand.
Notable Jordans Worn: Air Jordan 29, Air Jordan 30, Air Jordan 10, Air Jordan 11
3 Chris Paul
Chris Paul is an amazing point guard with the ability to get his own shot when his team needs it most. The NBA Rookie of the Year in 2006 Paul has had a lot of success since he was drafted fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets. The nine-time All-Star signed with Jordan Brand back in 2006 and was given his own signature shoe.
Notable Jordans Worn: Air Jordan 11, Air Jordan 13, Air Jordan 4, Jordan CP3 Line
2 Kawhi Leonard
Probably the quietest superstar the NBA has seen since Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard has taken the NBA by storm since taking over for Duncan as the Spurs next big thing. Known for his stout defense Leonard has shown his incredible scoring ability in the last four seasons. The small forward out of San Diego State already has one NBA Championship and a Finals MVP to go with it, but he is not done yet. Just like his team, the Spurs Kawhi is not going away anytime soon. Leonard signed with Jordan Brand back in 2013 and do not be surprised if he gets a signature shoe deal with the next few seasons.
Notable Jordans Worn: Air Jordan 29, Air Jordan 30, Air Jordan 31, Air Jordan Exclusives
1 Russell Westbrook
The reigning MVP Russell Westbrook is like no other player we have ever seen. He has the mentality of a shooting guard, the vision of a point guard, the tenacity of a center from the 90’s era and outstanding athletic ability. Only a man with these attributes could average a triple-double in one NBA season. Then you add on the different and extravagant fashion sense, and you have the face of the Jordan Brand. Westbrook signed with Jordan back in 2013. This past September after receiving his MVP award Westbrook and Jordan Brand agreed to a 10-year extension. Westbrook has released signature lifestyle shoes under Jordan Brand, but the point guard wore his first signature basketball sneaker on January 3rd, 2018 in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The “Why Not Zer0.1” will hit select store on January 15th, 2018 priced at $125
Notable Jordans Worn: Air Jordan 29, Air Jordan 30, Air Jordan 31, Air Jordan 32, Why Not Zer0.1
