Jasmine M. Jordan Knew Early on Playing Basketball Was Not for Her – Who is Michael Jordan's Daughter?

Jasmine M. Jordan is known as Michael Jordan's daughter and the mother of his only grandson. While she didn't follow her father's footsteps onto the court, Jasmine Jordan has been paving her way onto a different yet related path.

When she was younger, Jasmine Jordan briefly tried her hand at basketball. But she, including her father, knew it wasn't meant to be.

The almost 30-year-old has been keeping her father's legacy alive well after his retirement. Jasmine Jordan is involved with the Nike Jordan brand, and she also worked with the Charlotte Hornets – an NBA team owned by Michael Jordan.

Jasmine M. Jordan Didn't Know Who Her Father Was

Jasmine was born on December 7, 1992, and is the youngest child of Michael and his ex-wife, Juanita Vanoy. The former married couple shares two other children, Jeffrey Jordan and Marcus Jordan, who are Jasmine's older brothers, and they were all raised in Chicago.

Her mother, Vanoy, ensured they grew up with a good understanding of their roots. Jasmine attended a private Jesuit Catholic Academy in Illinois for the first two years of high school and then transferred to a public school. Jasmine said:

“It was mind-blowing at times to hear my classmates’ stories about their upbringings.”

Public school, she admitted, was a better fit for her as she was able to meet and learn from different individuals from various backgrounds. Jasmine acknowledged how beneficial it was to have had a public school experience as she did.

Jasmine was raised to appreciate that the life she led was a blessing and that it shouldn't be taken for granted. Growing up, she was the only girl in the Jordan family at the time. Jasmine knew that there was much less pressure on her shoulders.

As a girl, she didn't feel obligated to succeed in playing basketball. Her brothers played basketball which immediately propelled them into the spotlight because of who their father was.

She was the topic of discussion and the focus of many stares.

Since there was less pressure on her to become the next basketball phenomenon, she was able to try many different things. Jasmine danced and took part in other sports like volleyball and flag football.

Growing up, Jasmine hadn't realized the legendary status of her father. It wasn't until she was in her pre-teens that she decided to search "Michael Jordan" on YouTube to ascertain the fuss. Jasmine mentioned:

“It didn’t hit me that he was the phenomenon that he is.”

After high school, Jasmine enrolled at Syracuse University in New York and studied sports management. She voiced that initially, college was challenging because there was no hiding that she was Michael's daughter. She was the topic of discussion and the focus of many stares.

However, the university and her lecturers assured her they would treat her like any other student and that there would be no favoritism because of her father.

It was at Syracuse University that she met her now husband, Rakeem Christmas. Christmas was Jasmine's first friend on campus, and they later became best friends in college. After the pair graduated, Christmas entered the NBA draft but soon realized his feelings for Jasmine.

At first, Jasmine claimed it felt weird since they were such good friends. The couple announced their engagement in June 2018; soon after that, Jasmine had a bun in the oven.

Vanoy was reported to have received one of the largest sums in a divorce settlement at the time – $168 million.

Jasmine and Christmas welcomed a baby boy in May 2019. Rakeem Michael Jordan, now three years old, is Michael's first grandchild.

Jasmine M. Jordan's Parents Were Married for 17 Years

When her parents met, Vanoy was a loan officer in Chicago. A mutual friend introduced the former married couple and thought they would hit it off – and they did.

After two years together, Michael proposed to her on New Year's Eve in 1987, and the two tied the knot in November 1989. When they married, however, they already had a son born a year before the wedding – Jeffrey. It was reported:

“[Michael] did not believe Jeffrey was his son.”

Within a few months, Michael admitted to being Jeffrey's father. The couple then took their vows at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas as Jeffrey stood witness to his parent's marriage.

Vanoy reportedly filed for divorce in 2002 but withdrew her paperwork a month later as they tried to reconcile. Four years later, their lawyers announced the end of their 17-year marriage in a joint settlement.

Vanoy was reported to have received one of the largest sums in a divorce settlement at the time – $168 million. Since they share three children, the pair reportedly remained civil with each other as their conversations were mostly related to their children.

Now she works as a full-time field representative in sports marketing for Nike and Jordan Brand.

Michael remarried and left Chicago, while Vanoy stayed in a suburban area away from the spotlight. She reportedly spent her time traveling, adding to her art collection, and practicing Bikram yoga.

Jasmine Jordan Works for Her Father's Legacy

After Jasmine graduated, she worked as a basketball operations coordinator for the Charlotte Hornets for four seasons. Now she works as a full-time field representative in sports marketing for Nike and Jordan Brand.

Jasmine ensures that the athletes have all they need throughout the season – including sneakers and clothes.

She is reportedly always on her phone or laptop while connected to someone's Wi-Fi. Jasmine also handles the players during their off-season. Jasmine schedules their appearances, photoshoots, and all media-related coverage.

While Jasmine Jordan no longer works for the Charlotte Hornets, she is still connected with them as she represents some of their players.