I’ve been watching NBA basketball on and off since I was 5 years old. Recently, I was watching some old-school basketball on YouTube, and one of the videos included the player introductions. There’s the Michael Jordan intro where they play Alan Parsons and you hear Ray Clay: “From North Carolina, at guard…”

After watching these over the years, you end up memorizing everyone’s college. You watch it, you accept it, and you don’t think too much of it. At least I didn’t. But this time I did. And it just felt like an ad, and that’s what it is. UNC can always claim that Jordan started there. They benefit the most.

Jiu-jitsu is similar. When someone gets a black belt, people like to know who gave it to them.

One difference is the black belt usually doesn’t outgrow their instructor’s name. But that’s normal. Most people who train aren’t trying to build a name. Me, for example. I’m a black belt under Ryron and Rener Gracie, and their name lends a little credibility to me. I don’t lend them mine. This is the way for most students.

There are exceptions. Marcelo Garcia is better known than his teacher, Fabio Gurgel, who was already legendary. But it’s usually like Gordon Ryan and John Danaher. The more dominant Ryan is, the more Danaher’s name grows.

The rest of us, we just want to get on the mat.