Title: “I Played MJ One-on-One at UNC”: Jerry Stackhouse Opens Up About the Game That Shaped His Legacy
In a moment of rare reflection, former NBA All-Star Jerry Stackhouse has revealed a little-known chapter of his basketball journey—one that links him directly to the icon of icons: Michael Jordan.
During a recent interview, Stackhouse dropped a gem for die-hard hoops fans, recalling a private, high-stakes one-on-one showdown against Jordan that took place during his college days at the University of North Carolina. The encounter, intense and unforgettable, offered a symbolic passing of the torch between two Tar Heel legends.
> “It was an experience I’ll never forget,” Stackhouse said. “A lot of the hype I had coming into North Carolina—being 6’6”, bald head, from the east coast of the state—people were drawing comparisons to Mike before I even stepped on the court.”
Stackhouse arrived in Chapel Hill in 1993 with enormous expectations. The comparisons to Jordan weren’t subtle; they were shouted from the rafters. Like MJ, Stackhouse was a high-flying, silky-smooth scorer with a killer instinct. He was the consensus No. 1 high school player in the nation, and fans dubbed him the “Next Jordan” before he even suited up for Dean Smith’s Tar Heels.
So when Jordan—already an NBA champion and global superstar—returned to Chapel Hill during the offseason to train and visit his old stomping grounds, the matchup everyone whispered about finally happened.
> “It wasn’t some official scrimmage or anything,” Stackhouse recalled. “Just one of those summer runs at the Dean Dome. MJ walked in, and the energy shifted. You could feel it. He called me out, and we went at it. Just me and him.”
What followed was a battle of generational talent. Jordan, already in his prime with the Bulls, still had the sharpness, footwork, and intensity that made him unguardable. Stackhouse, just 18 but fearless and electric, didn’t back down.
> “I hit some shots, I’m not gonna lie,” Stackhouse smiled. “But Mike was surgical. The way he read your body, your balance—it was chess to him. I wasn’t even mad when he beat me. It was like watching a masterclass up close.”
Though the score from that game remains a mystery—“Let’s just say MJ made sure I stayed humble,” Stackhouse joked—the experience became a turning point in his mindset. That day, he learned what greatness truly looked like.
> “I had always been the guy. But after going head-to-head with Mike, I realized how far you still have to go—even when you’re at the top of your game.”
Stackhouse would go on to lead UNC to the Final Four in 1995 and became the third overall pick in the NBA Draft that same year. He enjoyed a stellar 18-year career, including two All-Star appearances, and eventually transitioned into coaching, currently leading the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Still, that one-on-one game in Chapel Hill remains etched in his mind—not just for the competition, but for the deeper connection to the UNC brotherhood and to the standard Michael Jordan set.
> “MJ didn’t have to play me that day. But he did. He wanted to test me, sure—but I think he also wanted to pass something down. That’s Carolina. That’s what being a Tar Heel is all about.”
For Stackhouse, it wasn’t just a story of one-on-one bragging rights—it was a rite of passage. A symbolic collision between two generations of greatness. And a lesson in humility, respect, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that has defined UNC basketball for decades.
