Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson: Hall of Fame point guard, five-time NBA champion, and co-captain of the 1992 Dream Team that won Olympic gold in Barcelona.
via Wikipedia: Magic Johnson · see source
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. He is widely regarded as the greatest point guard of all time and one of the greatest basketball players in history. Johnson spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). After winning a national championship with the Michigan State Spartans in 1979, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers, then led the team to five NBA championships during their "Showtime" era. Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. He retired again after fellow players protested his return, but returned in 1996, at age 36, to play 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 14 August 1959
- Birthplace
- Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
- High school
- Everett (Lansing, Michigan)
- College
- Michigan State (1977–1979)
- Draft year
- 1979
- Draft round
- 1
- Drafted by
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Career position
- Point guard
Lore & Background
Johnson was the co-captain of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team ("The Dream Team"), which won the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona. He is one of eight players to achieve the basketball Triple Crown. Johnson was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, and became a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame—being enshrined in 2002 for his individual career and as a member of the Dream Team in 2010. His friendship and rivalry with Boston Celtics star Larry Bird, whom he faced in the 1979 NCAA finals and three NBA championship series, are well-documented.
Reader's Guide
Since his retirement, Johnson has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex, as well as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, broadcaster, and motivational speaker. Johnson is a former part-owner of the Lakers and was the team's president of basketball operations in the late 2010s. He is a founding member of Guggenheim Baseball Management, the managing entity of the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB). He is part of ownership groups of the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), Los Angeles FC (MLS), the Washington Commanders (NFL), and the Washington Spirit (NWSL). Johnson has won 16 championships during his career: one in college, five as an NBA player, and ten as an owner. In 2025, Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States. His net worth is estimated at US$1.6 billion by Forbes.
Did You Know?
- Johnson holds the NBA records for average assists per game in the regular season (11.19) and in the playoffs (12.35 assists per game).
- He also holds the NBA playoffs records for most career assists and triple-doubles.
- Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" at age 15 after recording a triple-double of 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists as a sophomore at Everett High School.
More in Legendary Athletes
Elsewhere in The Olympics
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced