Charlotte, N.C. ? Michael Jordan is surrounding himself with old colleagues in his second stint running a team.

The Charlotte Bobcats hired Rod Higgins, his former teammate and aide, as general manager Thursday, a move that nearly recreates Jordan’s staff with the Washington Wizards.

Jordan is also in discussions with his college roommate – Coastal Carolina coach Buzz Peterson – about joining the franchise as an assistant coach or scout.

Higgins served as Golden State’s general manager the last three seasons, working under Warriors vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin. Before that, Higgins was the Wizards’ assistant GM when Jordan ran the team from 2000-03.

Higgins and Jordan became friends as teammates in Chicago during Jordan’s rookie season in 1984-85.