NBA commissioner David Stern:

"On behalf of the NBA, its 29 teams, and hundreds of millions of fans, I want to express our gratitude for what Michael has meant to the game of basketball and for his leadership role, both on and off the court. We wish only the best for Michael and his family.

"Basketball fans around the world are extraordinarily fortunate that he graced our game with his talents during 13 NBA seasons."

Former North Carolina coach Dean Smith:

"Obviously, it was a privlege to be his college basketball coach and continue our friendship these many years. It is remarkable hoe he managed to improve as a basketball player each and every year, with the possible exception of the layoff when he played baseball.

"The University of North Carolina benefited in so many ways as a result of Michael's matriculation and subsequent graduation, despite leaving for the NBA after his junior season. That certainly turned out to be a great decision. The University benefited not only from his $1 million gift to the School of Social Work, but every time in Chicago when the public address announcer introduced him so energetically from `North Carolina.'

"Even though he was the unanimous National Player of the Year in 1984, no one could have imagined at the time he was in Chapel Hill the impact he would have on basketball, on sports in general and, really, the entire world. Yet he handled the attention as well as anyone could and genuinely remains surprised at all the attention he receives. I think that is a great trait among many he possesses.

"As a basketball player Michael has had athletic ability, technical skills, the intelligence, dedication, effort and competitiveness. No player has ever had the entire package at his level.

"If he attempts to be a senior golfer at 50, do not be surprised if he is successful, despite his height, which is a problem. He improved as a baseball player until the strike ended that opportunity.

"Finally, I think Michael has made an excellent decision for him and his family. I, like many others, will certainly miss seeing him compete."

Kansas coach Roy Williams, who was an assistant at North Carolina during Michael Jordan's three seasons (1982-84):

"I have mixed emotions. I am saddened because he is the greatest player who ever lived. I am happy because this is what he wants to do. For three days over the summer we had great conversations about it and he indicated then that he was leaning towards retirement. I thought then by making his jumper and holding that follow-through in Game Six against the Utah Jazz was the perfect way for him to go out."

South Carolina coach Eddie Fogler, also an assistant at North Carolina from 1982-84:

"I knew Michael Jordan was a pro after I saw him in high school a few times. That was quite evident. Is he the best to ever play the game? I don't know. The thing people don't talk about enough, in my opinion, is that he makes the All-NBA defensive team every year. If he doesn't want you to score, you don't score. That's why he might be, you know, certainly if not the best, right up there, because he is as good defensively as he is offensively."

Kansas assistant Matt Doherty, who was a teammate of Jordan's at North Carolina from 1982-84:

"His decision doesn't surprise me. He told me in May that he was done. When I heard that he wasn't working out in the offseason, it only confirmed things because Michael would never go into a season unprepared. The last time he retired I remember crying in my rental car during a recruiting trip in upstate New York. This time around I will be smiling because I think he is at peace with his decision. I look at this as a time to celebrate the career of one of the most magnificent athletes in the history of sports. He entertained us for many years and for that we should all thank him. The game will sorely miss him. He is a great man."

Appalachian State coach Buzz Peterson, former North Carolina teammate and best man at Jordan's wedding, on a special Jordan memory:

"We played an Italian team and he had 34 points and it was a weird situation where it was a doubleheader thing. We went back in the locker room, changed uniforms and ate a candy bar. Coach Smith gave another pregame talk and we went up against a Yugoslavian team and he has 34 again. Under coach Smith's system, to go 34 back-to-back is kinda tough. I knew then this guy was going to be special. It was our junior year."

Nike CEO Phil Knight:

"Saying Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player that ever lived is understating his contribution.

"Michael Jordan's retirement fills me with mixed emotions: one of sadness that the sports world will no longer see his artistic performances, and one of optimism and enthusiasm about what he's going to do for the rest of his life. The whole world lies before him. I hope a satisfying part of that to him is his future involvement with Nike.

"There are very few names that even come close to being associated with Michael Jordan in the sports world: Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali. And as great as those two names were, Michael Jordan competed in a world that was much more wired. People in Japan were not able to stay up until 2 a.m. to watch Babe Ruth play or watch Muhammad Ali fight, and that was a regular occurrence for the teenagers in Japan for the last few years of Michael's career."

Former Los Angeles Laker guard Magic Johnson:

"Larry (Bird) and I excited people with our game on the ground. Then along came Michael and excited people in the air."

Los Angeles Lakers vice president Jerry West:

"This is a man who truly, as far as I'm concerned, is the modern-day Babe Ruth."

Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin, who feuded with Jordan during the lockout:

"Michael Jordan's contribution to the NBA and the game of basketball is immeasurable. He demonstrated the skill, heart and determination of a true champion and he embodied the meaning of the word `competitor.' Not many people truly changed American culture, but Michael Jordan has done that. The game will indeed miss him."

Miami Heat coach Pat Riley:

"The NBA, the fans, the players, the coaches, American society and history are losing the greatest influence that sports has ever had."

NBC sports chairman Dick Ebersol:

"We have all been fortunate to have been part of one of the most magical rides in sports history. Now, with the NBA and the other television partners, we have to reintroduce the new generation of stars in the NBA."

Former Bulls teammate John Paxson on a memory of Jordan:

"You have so many visions of MJ, but for me it is the first championship. After seven years in the league, finally winning the championship and seeing him with his dad and the trophy in the locker room. He was a winner."

Ex-teammate and friend B.J. Armstrong:

"There's a way to go out as an athlete and that's the way to go out. He went out on top, he made the last shot, he made all the right plays. He's had a fabulous career and everything you could ever ask as an athlete he's done. He had a chance to leave and this was the chance."

Former Bulls teammate Bill Wennington:

"He always laid it on the line, in games and in practices. He expected that of everyone around and that is what made all of us better players."

Bulls broadcaster Johnny "Red" Kerr on special memory of Jordan:

"Game Five of the Finals two years ago and traveling with him on the team bus that day when he was so sick and didn't know if he could play and then he goes out and scores 38 and wins the championship."

Los Angeles Laker guard Kobe Bryant:

"I feel responsible as a young player to try to carry on the tradition that he and other players have developed, both on and off the court."

New Jersey Nets general manager John Nash:

"The game has lost a tremendous competitor and ambassador. But I was there in (Philadelphia) when Julius Erving retired, and the game survived. Certainly the game has been damaged, but it would have been damaged next year or the year after if he retired."

Knicks guard Allan Houston:

"He's part of the reason guys were able to make $20 million. He deserves to go wherever he wants to go now. He's brought enough to this game to sit back and relax now. I don't even have a word for the kind of career he's had."

Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo:

"If he's finished, we're the ones who are at a loss, the fans who enjoyed him and the players who played with him and against him. ... Recognize that he is by himself when you talk about great stars, but somewhere beyond the NBA today there will be some players to come who will be great players."

Former player and Turner Sports analyst Doc Rivers:

"I don't think anyone's ready to take the baton. Michael is the Babe Ruth and that's the truth. If we're waiting for one guy, we're going to be waiting for a long, long time."

New York Rangers center Wayne Gretzky:

"He's been an outstanding athlete and a tremendous example as a parent, I know, to kids like I have. You go through these generations where you grow up and everyone has idols, guys like Mickey Mantle and, of course, the Gordie Howes and Michael Jordans, and you wonder is there going to be somebody to come along for your grandkids or your kids to emulate as role models. You never think that's going to happen again. You don't think somebody can come along and capture you again; that's what makes sports so great. You don't replace Michael Jordan, but somebody will come along who our kids will say, `Wow, this guy is something special,' and we'll be arguing that he's not as as good as Michael Jordan. That's what makes sports so good."

Dallas Mavericks swingman Michael Finley:

"There will never be another Michael Jordan no matter how long I live or my kids live."

Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson:

"He made me want to be an NBA basketball player."

Orlando Magic guard Penny Hardaway:

"It is a sad day. We are going to miss him."

Tim Grover, Jordan's personal trainer for the last nine years:

"At times he needed motivation, but most of the time he motivated himself. He didn't always like what we did, but as long as I could tell him what we were doing and why we were doing he understood and accepted it. This was a part of Michael Jordan people didn't see. We used to work out after practice, but then in recent years he wanted to do things before practice. There were times he would fly in from somewhere at 2 a.m. and get up at 6 a.m. and do his program."