Illinois guard Aaron Jordan has eight new teammates this season. So let's get the word out efficiently in case any of them is wondering: No, he is not related to Michael Jordan.
Jordan, a Plainfield (Ill.) East alumnus who last season shot 46.3 percent from 3-point range, said he often gets the question from fans, fellow students and even professors.
"I say: 'No, I'm not, unfortunately. If I did, I'd have all the shoes,' " Jordan said Thursday at Big Ten media day. "I find it funny because some people are dying to know."
Jordan, who wears No. 23, said he never has fibbed about that, not even as a joke or to impress someone he is courting.
But when people ask the 6-foot-5 senior whether he plays basketball, Jordan said he likes to reply: "No, water polo."
"I'll get really serious," he said. "They'll say, 'OK, sorry,' until they realize I'm just messing with them."
