Mike Conley Recalls First Time Meeting Michael Jordan As A Child

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley joined teammate Georges Niang on the latest episode of the “Drive & Dish” podcast to discuss his time away from basketball, fashion, and more. Perhaps no story was more interesting than Conley’s first meeting with superstar Michael Jordan as a youngster on the golf course.

Conley, who is now a part of the Jordan Brand family, met the Chicago Bulls hall of fame guard at a golf tournament in the early 1990s.

“I might have been five or six years old,” Conley said, “My dad was at some event or charity event and Michael was there and got to meet him and I didn’t say two words to him, I was too nervous, too scared.”

Growing up I idolized MJ and now I get the chance to be a part of the Jordan brand family! Can't wait to lace up my @Jumpman23 tonight! pic.twitter.com/4ay4O4ghzA

— Mike Conley (@MCONLEY10) October 26, 2016

Conley’s father won the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games where Jordan and the USA men’s basketball team, dubbed the “Dream Team” also took home the gold.

“I got to take a picture, shake hands, do all that,” Conley recalled, “From that day forward it was like, I am Michael Jordan everything.”

ESPN is currently airing a 10 part documentary on the life of Jordan including his final season with the Bulls titled “The Last Dance.” Niang ribbed Conley for not better relating his understanding of Jordan’s greatness on the court.

📱| 30+ minutes of @georgesniang20 & @mconley10? 𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄!

The guys cover all kinds of topics:
⛳️ Golf
👔 Fashion
🏀 Ideal 1-on-1 matchups
➕ 𝘔𝘖𝘙𝘌

full video » https://t.co/Y5dSdC5p6a pic.twitter.com/SyuB1A9YdT

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) April 30, 2020

“Just sitting back and watching that documentary, I am mad at you actually,” Niang said, “I’m mad that you would let me say that anyone else is a better player ever.”

Conley relayed the feeling most basketball fans experienced as they watched Jordan take over games.

“I can’t explain to you how good he was,” Conley said, “The feeling that you got every time he touched the ball with five seconds to go, you just knew it was going in. You just knew it. There was no other thought, that feeling you’ve got to experience it yourself.”

In 2016, Conley joined the Jordan brand after leaving Under Armour.  

Reppin’ those @Jumpman23 Future’s!!! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/BlxJ5PZR3P

— Mike Conley (@MCONLEY10) March 2, 2018

“I got the opportunity to be a part of the brand and you know it was like a full circle,” Conley told Niang. 

“I’m honestly just still just so excited and blessed to be a part of the Jordan Brand family.”

Though Conley now wears the sneakers of his basketball idol when he takes the floor, the two haven’t spent much time together off the court. Jordan is currently the owner of the Charlotte Hornets which could create tampering issues should the two interact.

However, there is one opportunity Conley wouldn’t pass on with Jordan if given the opportunity.

“He golfs a lot, I’m waiting on the invitation to the golf course,” Conley said, “I think he plays a little bit too fast for me, I like to take my time and throw the grass in the air and check the wind.” 

You and two friends can win first class tickets and a round of golf with @UtahJazz guard Mike Conley.

Better yet, it's all for a good cause. #TakeNote https://t.co/cWHIKJcTCD

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 30, 2020

Conley, who told Niang he has a six-handicap is giving basketball fans an opportunity to join him on the links. The Jazz guard accepted the ALL IN Challenge in an effort to raise money for those in need. Fans can bid on an opportunity to join Conley on a course in Ohio should they offer the highest donation.

The highest bid currently sits at $3,400, the auction expires at midnight on May 19.