RALEIGH, N.C. — Michael Jordan’s iconic shot against Georgetown 40 years ago that gave North Carolina coach Dean Smith his first NCAA title wasn’t the only championship performance he had that year.
Far less known, but at the time equally as important, Jordan helped the United States restore its claim as the world’s best basketball nation in the summer of 1982.
On the surface, the Amateur Basketball Association of the United States of America, now known simply as USA Basketball, was looking to put together a team of amateurs to participate in the 50th anniversary of the International Basketball Federation, better known as FIBA. The U.S. team would play a collection of European All-Stars in games scheduled for Switzerland and Hungary.
