Not only did Michael Jordan win six NBA championships, he also helped buy golfer Justin Thomas’ first car.
Thomas revealed on USA Network’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” how he made a life-changing bet with Jordan when he was just 15 years old.
The NBA icon is a frequent attendee of the Kentucky Derby, an annual race held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
When in town, Jordan, an avid golfer, would try his hand at a nearby golf course, where Thomas’ father, Mike, was the head pro.
The two played a game on the court with former NBA pro Junior Bridgeman, while Thomas served as a ball boy.
In the third year of the tradition, Jordan invited Thomas, whom he called “the little guy,” to join and play in the game.
Thomas ended up playing the final seven holes as his partner.
“He knew I played golf, but he didn’t know I played well, and certainly no one else knew,” the two-time major champion said.
“He said, ‘I’ll take Little Man and whoever wants us.’ Everyone else just looked at this 111-pound kid.”
When asked if he felt pressure, Thomas responded: “No, I just felt pressure playing with Michael Jordan. He said, ‘Well, I got him.’
“I had four birdies in seven holes and helped pay for my first car.”
As Colbert pondered the bet, Thomas responded: “I don’t know the amount. He told everyone not to tell him what we were playing for because he might…”
“Frightened?” Colbert jumped in.
“Sure, stuff like that,” Thomas said. “I won 3-4 jackpots.
“The assistant was helping pack up and everyone was coming in through the 36 holes, and my dad was like giving me a hard time. ‘You need to tip him.'” I said, “Tip who?” He said, ‘Ma Special, Assistant’. “
Since Thomas only had the $100 (£79) note Jordan gave him, he ended up tipping his assistant quite a bit.
“My dad said, ‘I believe you just tipped him $100.’ That’s all I have,” Thomas said.
Jordan is an avid golf fan and even has his own golf course in Florida, worth €20m (£15.8m), called The Grove XXIII, a nod to his iconic No. 10 jersey. Jersey number 23.