Paul Pierce recalls his experience meeting Michael Jordan for the first time

Originally posted on FanNation All Bulls | By Nick Raguz | Last updated 3/17/24

Every NBA superstar has a story about the first time they met the GOAT, Michael Jordan. While all differ in scale and detail, they all share one common theme: being completely enthralled by his presence. Paul Pierce, a 10-time NBA All-Star and Boston Celtics legend, recently shared his experience meeting Michael Jordan for the first time, recalling the moment as “mesmerizing.”

Met MJ in college

Speaking on the Ticket and the Truth podcast, the Hall of Famer shared he met His Airness while he was still the “Big Man on Campus” at Kansas. Pierce narrated that the Bulls were in town and played the Seattle Supersonics in a preseason game, and he swore it felt like Jordan was glowing when he first laid his eyes on the Bulls legend.

“So I had a chance to see Jordan when I was in Kansas,” Pierce shared.

“They played a preseason game at Kansas versus the Sonics. So he came up in his suit. I swear, it was like looking into this light, dead into this light, when he walked in the room, and you couldn't like, he was just glowing like Bruce Leroy.”

Michael Jordan Schooled Paul Pierce on Halloween 2002#NBA pic.twitter.com/yR3Uhj4X1H
— The Jordan Rules (@Rules23Jordan) November 3, 2022

Mesmerizing to see

For hoopers who grew up in the 1990s, Jordan was a god-like figure. His unmatched skill and legendary status on the court made him a hero to aspiring basketball players worldwide.

Even for someone like Pierce—who was already a rising NCAA star at the time—seeing Jordan up close was an unforgettable experience. For many fans and players alike, Jordan felt larger than life.

“It was like, damn, that's Mike right there. So I had a chance to shake his hand and take a picture with him. But I don't know if I met another person like that in my life. Or seen that like I can't even think of another superstar, whether sports or actor, to where I saw them and was just like it was mesmerizing to just see in person,” Pierce added.

We feel you, Truth

Michael Jordan: 9 game-winning buzzer-beaters (1st)
Kobe Bryant: 8 game-winning buzzer-beaters (T-2nd)
Paul Pierce: 7 game-winning buzzer-beaters (T-3rd) pic.twitter.com/10V36iP8rT
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 7, 2022