Often hailed as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan’s dominance on the court and iconic status have made him a household name in the sport. But while Jordan’s legacy is unmatched, it appears that players from other parts of the world were once considered as the MJ of their respective countries.
Khushi Ram (India)
Khushi Ram popularized the sport of basketball in India. At age 14, Ram made it to the Rajputana Rifles basketball team. Ram stood 6-foot-4 and was incredibly athletic as a player. He caught the attention of renowned Indian basketball coach Subedar Moolchand, who honed his skills and mentored him early in his career.
Ram then played for the Armed Forces basketball team from 1958 to 1968, leading them to 10 consecutive national titles. In 1964, he proudly represented the Indian team at the 4th Quadrangular tournament in Columbia, impressing foreign coaches with his explosive style of play.
The following year, Ram dominated the Asian Basketball Championship. He was the tournament’s top scorer, averaging an impressive 30-35 points per game. He earned the nickname “The Scoring Machine” in the process.
Ram made a name for himself by single-handedly dominating the opposing team. In 1970, he made waves once again by starring in the 10th Anniversary Celebrations Championships in Manila. Ram showcased his exceptional skills by scoring 196 points in 7 games and an outstanding 43 points against the Philippines.
As he aged, Ram transitioned into coaching and made valuable contributions to the Rajasthan basketball team. He passed away in 2013, but his legacy lives on, and some remember him as “The Michael Jordan of India.”
Andrew Wiggins (Canada)
Andrew Wiggins rose to basketball stardom by captivating fans with his exceptional talent and athleticism. He was born in Canada but quickly made a name for himself as one of the country’s top high school basketball players before joining the University of Kansas Jayhawks in 2013.
Wiggins wasted no time in showcasing his skills on the collegiate level. One season with the Jayhawks was enough for him to show his explosive dunks, smooth shooting, and defensive abilities.
Wiggins finished his lone season at Kansas, averaging 17 points per game. How’s that for a freshman? He then decided to jump into the pros, and one recruiting analyst loosely compared him to Michael Jordan. Since then, Wiggins generated buzz as “The Michael Jordan of Canada.” Others later began referring to him as “Maple Jordan” or “Junior Jordan.”
In 2014, Wiggins was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers but was immediately dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Of course, Andrew did not pan out to be like Mike, but he could safely tell everybody that, at one point, he was compared to Jordan.
Paul Alvarez (Philippines)
Paul “Bong” Alvarez began honing his basketball skills in the streets of Quiapo, Manila. Even as a youngster, Alvarez was already more athletic than everybody else. He then rose to prominence in Philippine basketball when he joined the San Sebastian Stags.
“I could dunk by just taking off one foot, which is actually difficult to do. But I did a lot of that during practice where I take off instantly from one side of the paint and dunk on the other,” he once told ESPN.
With just one look, any hoops fan could tell right away that Alvarez was a Michael Jordan wannabe. He had MJ’s signature elbow band and even wore jersey No. 23 during his time with the Philippine Basketball Association.
“I wore jersey no. 6 in college because that was the time Dr. J was a well-known dunker in the NBA. And then in 1984, I watched the games of Michael Jordan who was wearing no. 23 on his jersey,” Alvarez shared.
Like “His Airness,” Alvarez was also explosive and electrifying. He captivated fans with his high-flying dunks and Jordan-esque hang time plays. He is best known in Philippine basketball as “Mr. Excitement” but some old school fans often refer to him Alvarez as the Michael Jordan of the Philippines.
Yuta Tabuse (Japan)
Yuta Tabuse quickly gained popularity in Japan by becoming one of the country’s best high school players. He led his high school team to straight national championships and eventually earned the moniker “The Michael Jordan of Japan.”
One of Tabuse’s greatest strengths was his remarkable speed and agility on the court. His quickness and sharp reflexes allowed him to outmaneuver his matchups. Even though Tabuse was only 5-foot-9, his impeccable repertoire convinced Japanese hoops fans that they had their own Jordan in him.
Tabuse’s talents did not go unnoticed. He went undrafted in 2002 and was signed by the Phoenix Suns in 2004 to become the first-ever Japanese-born player to make it to the NBA. In 2005, Tabuse had a brief stint in the NBA D-League before returning to Japan in 2008. In 2010, Tabuse led his team to a championship in the JBL Basketball League and was named Finals MVP.
Unfortunately for Tabuse, his NBA career only lasted four games. He did not make much of an impact on basketball’s grandest stage but in the Japanese basketball lore, Tabuse is one of the best to ever do it.
“They used to call me the Michael Jordan of Japan. Of course I didn’t take it seriously—the only thing they [my teammates] knew about Japan was sushi—but I was still happy to hear it,” Tabuse told Tokyo Weekender in 2014.
Oscar Schmidt (Brazil and international tournaments)
Oscar Schmidt is a legendary Brazilian basketball player renowned for his extraordinary skills on the court. Born in 1958, Schmidt began his basketball journey at a young age, displaying a notable aptitude for scoring.
One of the most impressive aspects of Schmidt’s game was his remarkable shooting ability. He had a deadly long-range touch, often draining it from well beyond the three-point line with ease. His sharpshooting prowess primarily made him a constant threat to opposing teams.
However, Oscar’s game was not limited to his outside shooting. He was also adept at driving to the basket, using his quick footwork and agility to maneuver past defenders and finish with finesse. His versatility on offense made him a dynamic player and almost like a mythical creature in Brazilian basketball lore.
Some say Schmidt didn’t have the same arsenal as Jordan but was more of a Larry Bird. However, as far as dominance and relentlessness go, many consider him MJ’s international counterpart.
In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Schmidt finally got the chance to play against Jordan on the international stage. The Dream Team torched Brazil, 127-83. For Schmidt, it wasn’t the most memorable game he played against the GOAT. Instead, it was during an exhibition game prior to the Barcelona Olympics.
“Michael Jordan was a very tough player. I played an exhibition game with him in Trieste; it was the Americas and Italy against another team. And then he played my team. Half the game he played for us and half the game for the other team. That was a beautiful game. When he attacked on the court, he hurt two of our players!,” Schmidt once recalled.
In conclusion, to be compared to Michael Jordan is such a high honor and a testament to one’s talent and dedication. However, it’s safe to say that nobody could ever tick all the boxes as only one player had become an icon whose legacy continues to inspire basketball players for generations to come, whose impact on the game is immeasurable, and whose name is synonymous with greatness.