Michael Jordan’s Young Heart and Basketball
Even as a young, lovestruck teenager, Michael Jordan’s heart belonged to basketball. In a letter he sent to his high-school sweetheart, Laquetta Robinson, in May 1981, the future NBA legend was clearly grappling with balancing his romantic feelings with his passion for the game. The 18-year-old Jordan wrote, "Laquetta, you are my whole life next to basketball," a statement that, while heartfelt, also hinted at the demanding nature of his future career. He quickly backtracked, adding, "Please don’t get mad about that statement. You are my whole life. But you can’t have basketball." This candid admission underscores the extent to which basketball was already a significant part of Jordan’s life, a foreshadowing of the dedication and focus that would later define his career. He expressed a profound desire for Laquetta to be by his side as he pursued his dreams, saying, "One day I hope to make a living of this, and I want you to be by my side. I can never show you how much my love goes for you, but each day I try to show you."
A Letter of Intimacy and Aspiration
The letter, penned in neat blue ink on two separate sheets of lined notebook paper, is now being auctioned by Lelands, with a starting bid of $10,000. Despite the young Jordan’s clear emotions, his grammar and punctuation show the hallmarks of his age, with omitted question marks and other errors. For example, he wrote, "How has life treated you since the last time I seen you. (sic) How are your parents and the rest of your family doing, fine I hope. (sic)" The content of the letter is deeply personal, reflecting a side of Jordan that is rarely seen in his public persona. This tender correspondence offers a glimpse into the young man who would go on to become one of the greatest athletes of all time, showcasing his vulnerability and the sincerity of his feelings for Laquetta.
Prophetic Vows and Future Glory
In the letter, the famously self-confident Jordan makes a few prophetic remarks. He vows, "Next year I will show you things you can’t believe" and adds, "Some of these things will amaze you." These statements, though modest at the time, would soon come to fruition. Less than a year later, in 1982, Jordan would hit the game-winning shot to defeat Georgetown in the NCAA Championship, a moment that solidified his status as a rising star and set the stage for his future dominance in the basketball world. The young Michael Jordan, still known as "Mike" to his friends and family, was already beginning to envision the incredible journey ahead.
Efforts to Connect and Overcome Obstacles
Jordan’s efforts to demonstrate his love for Laquetta are evident throughout the letter. He writes, "Laquetta, I will go out my way just to speak to you. This show you how much I really care. My love for you will never run out. It will continue on through life." He also mentions his desire to get closer to her and her family, stating, "I am trying to get closer and closer to your family. I want them to know that I love you." However, he acknowledges the challenges they face, particularly from someone named Lynwood, who opposes their relationship. Jordan writes, "I hope you love for me and my love for you can overcome his reasons for us not getting together." This obstacle adds a layer of complexity to their young romance, highlighting the real-world issues that even a future sports icon had to navigate.
A Brief History of the Relationship
Laquetta Robinson attended Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina, alongside the young Michael Jordan. In 2011, she claimed that other love letters from Jordan had been stolen from her North Carolina home, leading to a legal threat to sue after the items were sold at auction. This particular letter, however, is not claimed to be stolen and has been authenticated by a collector. In 2022, a prom photo of Jordan and Robinson sold at auction for $3,960, though much about their relationship remains a mystery. Despite the deep connection evident in his letters, Jordan and Laquetta would eventually drift apart. Jordan would go on to win a national championship with the University of North Carolina and be drafted third overall in the 1984 NBA draft, setting the stage for his ascent to NBA superstardom.
Jordan’s Later Romances and Controversies
Since his high school days, Jordan’s romantic life has been well-documented and often controversial. He was romantically linked to actress Robin Givens in the 1980s, but the relationship did not last. In 1989, he married Juanita Vanoy, with whom he had three children. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2002, after 13 years together. In 2013, Jordan married Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto. However, the same year, a woman named Laquetta Theus sued Jordan for paternity, alleging he fathered her child. The case was dismissed when DNA tests proved another man to be the father, and Theus was ordered to pay Jordan’s legal fees of $6,510.61. These events, though far removed from his high school days, illustrate the complexities and public scrutiny that often accompany the lives of sports legends. Despite these challenges, the letter to Laquetta remains a poignant reminder of a simpler time when basketball and love were equally important to the young Michael Jordan.
