"Before that, I was Mike. All of a sudden, I make that shot, and I'm Michael" - Michael Jordan on the defining game-winner of his career

For every all-time great NBA player, there exists a pivotal moment when they exceed expectations and attain an unprecedented level of confidence after delivering in a high-pressure moment.

For Michael Jordan , who was initially deemed 'inconsistent' by Coach Dean Smith when he joined the UNC Tar Heels in 1981, this transformative moment occurred in the 1982 NCAA championship game. His clutch jumper not only secured the title for his team, but Mike knew it changed the perception about him - helping him go from a prospect to a budding basketball star on the rise.

Jordan recognized the importance of the shoot

While the New York native might have possessed the determination to be the best, he lacked the ability to be dominant over the more experienced players. During the 1981-82 season, the 6'6" shooting guard attempted 10.5 shots per game - the most among any other player on the team. Still, his scoring average and field goal percentage were behind James Worthy and Sam Perkins. Moreover, the latter two even contributed better on the defensive end than Mike in one way or the other.

Also, during the '81-82 camping, Virginia's Ralph Sampson dominated all awards, from winning the AP Player of the Year to the Wooden Award. The only player to win a significant award was Worthy, who was named NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. Also, Big Game James and Perkins registered selection in the Consensus All-American first and second teams, respectively.

However, by the time that season ended, Jordan had become a household name, primarily because of his championship-winning jumper against Georgetown. The Bulls legend also sensed the change in his fanfare and recognition, as he perceived that moment to be the 'birth of Michael Jordan.'

"That was the birth of Michael Jordan," Jordan recalled . "Before that, I was Mike. All of a sudden, I make that shot, and I'm Michael."

Related: Rasheed Wallace on who is the greatest Tar Heel ever: "Mike is great, but Phil Ford is the best to do it at Carolina"

MJ made that moment count

Mike's newfound recognition could have been fleeting had he not capitalized on it through continued hard work and improvement. In the following season, he emerged as the Tar Heels' most dependable scorer, averaging an impressive 20 points per game while playing even fewer minutes than his freshman year. As a result, this remarkable performance earned him a place on the Consensus All-American First Team and the prestigious Sporting News Player of the Year award.

The six-time Finals MVP's ascend continued in his junior year, during which he secured eight of the ten prestigious awards given to collegiate players. Then, he established himself as the best player for Bobby Knight's Team USA in the 1984 Olympic Games.

While a singular moment may have transformed him from 'Mike to Michael Jordan,' had it not been for his relentless work ethic, His Airness's continued rise could have been tough.

Related: “If I survived the Olympics and Bobby Knight, then I'll be ready for anything” - Michael Jordan's honest response on whether he was ready for the NBA