Playing against what many consider the greatest athlete to walk on planet Earth, Michael Jordan , was a special kind of privilege that not many can boast about, but sharing the locker room with him was a completely different story. However, those who had the chance to play golf on his iconic Grove XXIII, his private golf course in Florida, know how out of this world that feeling is.
For the retired point guard Jason Williams , he still recalls the time he had an interesting, and almost unwanted, encounter with MJ during his visit to that golfers' heaven on earth.
Williams recalled the time he was just relaxing and playing golf with a couple of his friends, who, after the game, were dying to meet Jordan. And Williams, considering he had acquainted the Chicago Bulls icon during his years in the league, as he says himself, wasn't as hyped about seeing him there, and would rather leave that honor to those who didn't have that chance. Considering Jordan often greets people who come to his golf heaven, it was only a matter of time before the legend showed up.
Well, as Williams said, he went to do his thing in the locker room, just taking a quick bathroom break, and after that, he was going to head out.
However, once he finished and got back inside, he had something to see. Jordan, in the flesh, just standing there, in the middle of the locker room, minding his business, smoking a big cigar. Jason then recalled how that completely random encounter stayed with him, especially the moment when the man many consider the GOAT embraced him for a friendly hug.
"Lo and behold, there's MJ at his locker, and I'm like, 'Whoa!'" Williams recalled, while mimicking the surprise on his face. "It's just me and him in the locker room. I don't wanna bother, buddy, you know…"
"He put all that sh-t down and gave me a hug. I didn't want to let go of MJ, I ain't gonna lie… Boom! Hug. He on his way out the door to his car… Y'all out here waiting on MJ, me and him back there just chopping it up, he gave me a hug and he left. They all missed MJ," the retired point guard added.
Even though they crossed paths during their playing days during the late 1990s and early 2000s, Williams still felt something different seeing His Airness just casually going about his business. And even though he tried to play it cool and avoid any kind of interaction, it seems like he ended up being the only one from his group who actually got that moment with MJ. While the rest of the crew was waiting outside, hoping for a glimpse, it never came their way.
In the end, it just adds another layer to the aura that follows Jordan everywhere he goes. Whether it's on the hardwood or at his own golf paradise, the vibe is different. And as Williams made it clear, there's probably no better place to randomly run into the GOAT and walk away with a story like that.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
