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Michael Jordan

Watch: The player who taught Michael Jordan the fadeaway jumper

Elvin Hayes fadeaway
Unknown date and unknown location; USA; FILE PHOTO; Washington Bullets forward Elvin Hayes (11) against Atlanta Hawks center Tom McMillen (54). Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network

When you think about unstoppable shots in NBA history, you think of shots like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s sky hook, and Shaquille O’Neal’s slam dunk. Another unstoppable shot was Michael Jordan’s iconic fadeaway jump shot.

Related: Watch: Rare behind-the-scenes of epic Michael Jordan commercial

Jordan was a student of the game and he used moves from players he grew up watching. This includes his fadeaway jumper.

Elvin Hayes used the fadeaway during his career and a rare 1988 video shows Hayes teaching Jordan his future unstoppable shot.

Hayes explained how he developed the move in high school due to playing against taller opponents.

“Well Michael, in order to develop that shot, when I was in high school, it was those guys jumped so high, I had to get my shot off ’cause I wasn’t as tall as them. So, I developed that shot in my backyard.”

Is Jordan’s fadeaway jumper the most iconic shot in NBA history? If not, what is?

About the Author Published Sep 2, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1

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