by Alex Schwartz

Start thinking about basketball. Now think about MJ. Keep your mind on Jordan. Yup, the one from Illinois. Wait, you were thinking about Michael Jordan? Oh, I meant Marcus Jordan. See, that's what it's like being the son of His Airness. Marcus Jordan is a quality ballplayer in his own right, and all those descriptions fit him, but all you probably thought about was his father, who is generally thought of as the greatest basketball player ever. "I know I always have a target on my back and I welcome it," said Marcus, on what it's like stepping onto the floor as the former NBA great's son. The younger MJ plays AAU ball with the Rising Stars Gold (IL) U-17 team, and runs goes to Whitney Young (IL). Jordan, a forward in the class of 2009, claims offers from Rice and Illinois-Chicago, as well as interest from Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, SMU, and Illinois. Marcus' older brother Jeffrey, a rising sophomore, is a walk-on at Illinois. Marcus probably dreams of going to North Carolina, right? Wrong. "If I could go anywhere, it would probably be Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, [or] Kansas, a school like that." The rising senior does not have a dream school, but wants to attend a college "where the coach can prepare [him] for the next level."

The pressure of being the son of a legend may be too much for some people to handle, but not Marcus Jordan. "No, it's . . . never too much," said Marcus when I spoke to him on the phone after his team's first day of games at the AAU Super showcase in Orlando, Florida. "[I] channel it out when I'm playing basketball," added Jordan. Having a father who is so good at basketball seems like it could be a big help, as he could give suggestions and advice. Marcus, though, does not always take tips from his dad: "He definitely gives me advice, but I have to ask for it." Although there is a lot of pressure and hype that comes with being a Jordan, Marcus said "I wouldn't want to be anyone [else]." The two MJs don't play the same way according the younger of the two. "We're very different players, . . . he's more of a plays guy, . . . I create more." The Whitney Young Dolphin added that he think his older brother Jeffrey is a better player than he is. Even though he can clearly see that he and his father play differently, Marcus doesn't try to look into it too much, saying"I don't even really compare myself, I just go out and play and try to play my game."

"Getting to the rim and my basketball IQ, . . . getting to the rim and just making plays," is what Marcus told me are the biggest strengths in his game. As for his main weakness, Jordan said his "jump-shot," so he is "in the gym . . . [taking] 100 shots a day, . . . trying to make it a strong point instead of a weak point." On another note, I inquired of the rising senior who his favorite teammate of his father ever was: "I'd probably say John Paxson, . . . he was pretty consistent, he was a solid player." Marcus Jordan may well be looking to develop into a solid, consistent player too, and if he does, he make some noise in the future.

Note- photo is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/.