Magic Johnson

Guide Note: Magic Johnson, born Earvin Johnson Jr, is a Hall of Fame Basketball player, and an Executive for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is also a successful businessman, and a famous spokesman for HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus Awareness.

Earvin Johnson, Jr. was born in Lansing Michigan on August 14, 1959. The Hall-of-Fame basketball player started his formal playing career at Lansing Everett High School where he earned the nickname of Magic. In his youth he was notorious for traveling everywhere with a basketball in hands, which would explain his superior ball handling skills even with an eventual height of 6'9". When he declared for college, he stayed true to his roots choosing to stay near his hometown by attending Michigan State University. In 1979, he led the Michigan State Spartans Basketball team to a championship against Larry Bird and Indiana State University. This would mark the beginning of a legendary rivalry, and eventual friendship that would be recognized as one of the landmarks in sports history.

In 1979, the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Magic with the first pick in the NBA draft. With his up tempo fast break, and creative passing skills the media soon referred to the Lakers spectacle led by Magic as Showtime. Every night the enthusiastic point guard would demonstrate his all around skills leading the league with triple doubles. He would reward the franchise for their faith in him with an NBA Championship in his very first season. The highlight of his rookie campaign would be his clutch performance against Julius Erving and the Philadelphia 76ers in game six of the NBA Finals. Replacing the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic led the Lakers with 42 points, 15 rebounds three steals, and seven assists and earning the NBA Finals MVP.

He would go on to lead the Lakers to four more championships in 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988, as well as winning the League MVP in 1987, 1989, and 1990.

Among his other notable accomplishments include three NBA Finals MVP, 12 Time All-Star, Twice the All-Star Game MVP, being named to the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team,9 First Team All NBA selections, and a Gold Medal representing Team USA with the Dream Team in the 1992 Olympics.

In 1991, the world was shocked to discover that Magic had acquired the HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus. At the time he was the most famous celebrity to acquire the virus, he decided to dedicate his life to bringing about ,positive awareness on the subject. He briefly attempted a comeback in 1992, but lack of information and unwarranted fear on the subject of his HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus forced him to retire again. Than in 1996, he made another comeback, but the years away from the court had diminished his skills and the team's focus on youth encouraged him to retire for good. He was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 and he has transitioned to a successful businessman with his ventures which include Magic Johnson Theaters, and Magic Johnson Enterprises.

1. Hometown: Lansing, MI
2. College: Michigan State
3. 3-time NBA MVP
4. 3-time NBA Finals MVP
5. Won 5 NBA Titles with L.A. Lakers

• August 14, 1959: Born
• 1979: Debuts with the Los Angeles Lakers
• 1979-1980: NBA Champion
• 1981-1982: NBA Champion
• 1984-1985: NBA Champion
• 1986-1987: NBA Champion
• 1987-1988: NBA Champion
• 1987: NBA MVP
• 1989: NBA MVP
• 1990: NBA MVP
• 1991: Retires from NBA due to HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• 1992: Olympic Gold Medal
• 1996: Returns for one last season with Los Angeles Lakers
• 2002: Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame