Michael Jordan once paid tribute to North Carolina during Christmas Day NBA game by donning their shorts

Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan's legacy can be traced back to his college days. Jordan played three seasons of college basketball for North Carolina from 1981 to '84. Even as a star in the NBA, Jordan never forgot his roots as a Tar Heel, occasionally taking the time to pay tribute to his alma mater.

On Dec. 25, 1990, Jordan's Chicago Bulls took on their rivals, the Detroit Pistons. Ahead of the game, Jordan was seen warming up while sporting North Carolina gear, specifically, a pair of shorts.

As a Tar Heel, Michael Jordan averaged 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals. During the 1982 National Championship game, North Carolina squared off against the Georgetown Hoyas.

In the closing moments, the Tar Heels were trailing 62-61. With under 20 seconds left, Jordan found himself with the ball and launched a jumper to put up his team by one. In the succeeding play, the Hoyas committed a turnover, sealing the win for North Carolina. That would be Jordan's only college title.

After a three-year college career, he was selected at No. 3 by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 Draft.

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Michael Jordan dominated in 1990 Christmas Day game against the Pistons

The Detroit Pistons had been a thorn in the Chicago Bulls' side prior to the 1990-91 season.

On Dec. 25, 1990, during the Christmas Day game, Jordan ended up with a dominant stat line. He finished with 37 points on a 14-for-23 shooting (1-for-1 from the 3-point line). He also grabbed eight rebounds, dished three assists, recorded three steals and blocked two shots.

Jordan was the only Bulls player to score over 20 points, with the next highest scorer on the team being John Paxson with 15. Scottie Pippen added 14 and Bill Cartwright had 12.

Meanwhile, Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas scored 24 and 23 points, respectively. However, the Bulls won 98-86.

That season, the Bulls ended the Pistons' run of dominance. After Detroit won the championship in 1989 and 1990, the Bulls dethroned them and won the 1991 NBA title. This kicked off Chicago's first three-peat.

Michael Jordan briefly retired in 1993. He returned in 1994-95 but only played in 17 games. By the 1995-96 season, Jordan was fully back, leading the league in points with 30.4 per game and winning the MVP. That year, the Bulls won another title, kicking off their second three-peat of the decade.