The Michael Jordan Vertical Was Really Ballet

The Michael Jordan vertical is reportedly anywhere from 42 inches to 48 inches.

As Michael Jordan begins his ascent, one is reminded not of the rough-and-tumble world of hardwood and sweat-streaked jerseys but of something more refined, more delicate—a world of satin slippers and orchestrated movements. There’s a fluidity to his rise, a sequence of motions that, when observed in their totality, almost seem choreographed, as if by some divine hand.

In that liminal space between floor and rafters, Jordan becomes both athlete and artist. The ball, cradled in one hand, becomes an extension of his being, much in the same way a ballerina becomes one with the music, her every gesture a note in a composition larger than herself. There’s a grace, a sublime elegance, to the way he hangs in the air, seemingly defying not just gravity but time itself. His legs tuck in, a move reminiscent of a pirouette, and for a brief, ethereal moment, he is not a basketball player in the throes of competition but a dancer, performing a routine as ancient as expression itself.

This is not mere jumping; it is an act of elevation in every sense of the word. And as he reaches the apex, poised in a freeze-frame of perfection, one cannot help but think of ballet’s finest—a Nureyev or a Baryshnikov—men who, like Jordan, transcended their craft to tap into something universal, something that speaks to the very core of what it means to be human, to strive, to soar.

And then, just as effortlessly, he descends, completing a narrative arc that is as much about passion and artistry as it is about points on a board. In this, Michael Jordan reminds us that there is ballet in basketball, poetry in the prosaic, and art in the very act of flight.

Legends and myths of athletic measurements swirl around the greatest athletes of all time. Because like Lamar Jackson’s 40 time, it is often simply more fun to speculate with hyperbole. A couple of inches matter to the most ardent fans; what matters to the game is that “His Airness” left the free throw line on takeoff and glided through the air into pop culture.

Slam Dunk Contest

Michael Jordan’s vertical jump is one of the things that made him such a dominant force in the NBA. His vertical leap relied on innate athletic ability and a powerful show of determination. This fearless combination is why he dominated the annual dunk contest in back to back years.

Of all the great leapers, incredible athletes, and future stars of the league, it is the footage of Jordan’s running leap from the free-throw line that captivates an audience. It is the indelible mark of his early career.

Jordan has never been accused of being anything less than extremely competitive (the phrase “competes like his hair is on fire” has been used more than once). He hated to lose and played with a chip on his shoulder. His desire to prove people wrong is legendary.

Michael Jordan vertical inspired a generation of players

No matter what was at stake, Jordan exemplified a competitive focus on being the best. A fierce competitor who wanted to win every event, every drill, every game.

His work ethic was legendary, but it wasn’t his effort on the court or in the weight room. It was more about how much time he spent studying film, how much time he spent working on his game in practice, and how much time he spent watching other players.

He would spend hours working on his game after practice, whether it meant shooting by himself or playing 1-on-1 with someone else, or working with an assistant coach.

Jordan was a student of the game. And maybe that’s why he became such a great player. He studied the game so intently that he knew what everyone else was going to do before they did it — not because he had some kind of preternatural gift but because he knew all the little nuances that make up a player’s repertoire and tendencies.

As for his athleticism, there are many examples of Jordan’s leaping ability, but this is probably the most memorable.

Jumpman logo

Vertical leaps capture the imagination and show up in the highlights. So it comes as no surprise that the Jumpman logo is a one-of-a-kind representation of the life and career of Michael Jordan.

In 1988 Nike’s Tinker Hatfield created the original Jumpman logo for a pair of signature shoes. Inspired by a staged photoshoot Jordan did for Life magazine, the design continues Jordan’s basketball legacy after his playing days.

But it’s not actually any specific vertical jumps. The iconic Jumpman logo is a silhouette of Jordan performing a traditional ballet jump known as a grand jeté

Nonetheless, at the end of his entire career, the Michael Jordan vertical legacy is as a winner. Not of dunk contests, rather the championship-winning shot over Byron Russell. His feet firmly on the ground, follow through extended. Right back at the free-throw line for another moment with history.

Painted basketball courts aren’t the only work of art that Jordan’s vertical inspired.