Earvin (Magic) Johnson Jr.

Earvin (Magic) Johnson Jr.

Michigan State Basketball Player (1977 – 1979)
Los Angeles Lakers Player (1979 – 1991, 1996)

Magic Johnson was born in Lansing, Michigan and started playing basketball as a youngster. He led Lansing Everett High School to a state championship in his senior season and at the time of his graduation was thought to be the greatest high school basketball player to ever come out of the state of Michigan. He went on to attend Michigan State where he became a two-time All-American leading the Spartans to the 1979 NCAA Championship while being voted the Most Outstanding Player of the 1979 Final Four. He was the number one overall selection of the 1979 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and remained with the team throughout his career. During his 13 seasons, Johnson was a key member of five NBA Championships, as well as being a 12-time All-Star, three-time NBA Finals MVP and three-time league MVP. He is a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team. During his NBA career, Johnson averaged 19.5 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game and 11.2 assists per game. He was a member of the original NBA Dream Team winning a Gold medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Johnson’s #33 was retired by Michigan State and his #32 was retired by the Lakers in 1992. Magic Johnson was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the MSU Atletics Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.