Jordan back on the boards

The name Jordan will be seen back on the court

Michael Jordan has announced his basketball comeback and signed a two-year contract with the Washington Wizards.

The 38-year-old, widely acclaimed as the best player ever to grace the game, is returning three years after he retired from the Chicago Bulls.

The announcement was much anticipated and is the second time Jordan has come out of retirement.

"I am returning as a player to the game I love," Jordan said in a statement issued through his management agency.

  Michael Jordan

Born: 17 Feb 1963
Brooklyn, New York

1982: Hits winning jump shot as freshman for North Carolina to win NCAA championship

1984: Joins Bulls as third pick in draft

1987: First of seven consecutive scoring titles

1991: Wins first of three successive NBA titles

1993: Averages 32.6 points in the season before retiring

1996: A year after returning to the game he leads Bulls to the first of another three titles

2001: Comes out of retirement and returns as a player for the Wizards.

Jordan will play in a team he largely assembled himself as the President of the Wizards and under a coach, Doug Collins, whom he appointed only five months ago.

"This is certainly an extremely important moment in the history of our franchise," Wizards owner Abe Pollin said.

"The greatest player in the history of the game is joining my team, and for that I am extremely honoured and pleased."

In 1993 Jordan quit the Bulls, after a hat-trick of titles, in the same year that his father, James, was murdered in a roadside shooting.

However, after an unsuccessful two-year stint in baseball, he returned to the windy city in 1995 and helped the Bulls win another hat-trick.

Jordan left the sport after capturing his sixth title with a game-winning shot against the Utah Jazz.

Now the 6ft 6in guard, a five-time NBA most valuable player and 12-time All Star, faces arguably one of his biggest challenges.

Jordan in action for the Bulls

The Washington franchise won only 19 games last season and in the close season they failed to attract any big name stars.

However earlier in the month, as rumours of his return grew, Jordan suggested that titles were not the only yardstick.

"I know there are a lot of naysayers out there. Winning isn't always championships. What's wrong with helping kids find their way, teaching them the game?"

But on announcing his return, Jordan revealed that his ambition stretched beyond helping out a young team that will include the number one draft pick, high school graduate Kwame Brown.

"While nothing can take away from the past, I am firmly focused on the future and the competitive challenge ahead of me.

I am convinced we have the foundations to build a play-off contention team

Michael Jordan

"I am especially excited about the Washington Wizards, and I'm convinced we have the foundations on which to build a play-off contention team," Jordan added.

As the NBA does not allow players to own a stake in the team, Jordan, who is also a part-owner, has relinquished his share to fellow Wizards owner Ted Leonsis.

Jordan also announced that he will donate his salary for the coming season to relief agencies set up in response to the terrorist attacks on both Washington and New York.

Jordan will commence training on 2 October in preparation for the opening game of the season on the 30 October.

If selected Washington's new star will return at New York's Madison Square Garden, the scene of some of his greatest performances.