Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson: Hall of Fame point guard, five-time NBA champion, and billionaire entrepreneur.
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 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 also played in the 1992 preseason and some regular-season games before retiring again after fellow players protested his return. He returned in 1996, at age 36, to play 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Part-Owner; NBA Legend
- Championships
- 5
- Mvps
- 3
- Franchise connection
- Since 2010
- Status
- Retired Player; Executive
- Playing team
- Los Angeles Lakers
Lore & Background
Known for his extraordinary court vision, passing abilities, and leadership, Johnson was one of the most accomplished and influential players in basketball history. He received three NBA Most Valuable Player awards, three NBA Finals MVP awards, nine All-NBA First Team designations, and twelve All-Star Game selections. He led the league in regular-season assists four times. Johnson holds the NBA record for average assists per game in the regular season (11.19) and ranks second all-time in playoff average assists per game (12.35), behind John Stockton. 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. Johnson is one of at least ten players to achieve the basketball Triple Crown (NCAA championship, NBA championship, and Olympic gold medal). After leaving the NBA in 1991, he formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a barnstorming team that traveled around the world playing exhibition games. 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.
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