My Hero: Michael Jordan
Xavier Carter is the fourth fastest man in history over 200m following his stunning 19.63 in Lausanne in 2006. He talks exclusively to spikesmag.com about his respect for basketball legend Michael Jordan.
“Michael Jordan is a really clean cut guy. He's very marketable and leads by example. I want to put those kind of guys as my idols. I am not fond of rappers because kids can’t always look up to them.
Jordan was so special because every time you used watch him on TV, and he had the ball in his hand, he was such an exciting player to watch. As soon as you saw Jordan you just wanted to go outside and play basketball.
He became a major icon right over the world. What made him so good was his determination and dedication to the game. He was a workaholic, he loved the game – people can never take that away from him.
My favourite memory of Jordan came in either the 1996 play-off or the 1998 play-off when he somehow got the ball, shook off the defender, the defender fell and he threw in the championship-winning basket.
When I was a kid I had posters on my wall of Jordan shoes, jerseys all of that. I gave away my jerseys, but I’ve kept my shoes and now that I’ve signed with Nike it's not that hard to get a pair of Michael Jordan shoes.
If I met him I would tell him that I appreciate his hard work and dedication. I’m glad I followed him because if I hadn’t have followed him I wouldn’t be where I am today.”