Magic Johnson

American basketball player

Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959 in Lansing, Michigan) is an American retired NBA basketball player. He won the NBA Championship in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 all with the Los Angeles Lakers. He played college basketball at Michigan State University where he developed a rivalry and friendship with Boston Celtics star Larry Bird when he faced him in the 1979 NCAA finals and three NBA championship games. Although Johnson was a versatile player who played all five positions occasionally, he is considered by many to be the greatest point guard, passer and playmaker in the history of the game.

Magic Johnson
Johnson in 2014
Personal information
Born (1959-08-14) August 14, 1959 (age 65)
Lansing, Michigan, USA
Listed height206 cm (6 ft 9 in)
Listed weight98 kg (216 lb)
Career information
High schoolEverett (Lansing, Michigan)
CollegeMichigan State (1977–1979)
NBA draft1979 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Playing career1979–1991, 1996
PositionPoint guard
Number32
Career history
As player:
19791991, 1996Los Angeles Lakers
1999–2000Magic M7 Borås
2000Magic Great Danes
As coach:
1994Los Angeles Lakers
Career highlights and awards
As a player:
Career statistics
Points17,707 (19.5 ppg)
Rebounds6,559 (7.2 rpg)
Assists10,141 (11.2 apg)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Basketball Hall of Fame as player
College Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2006
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona Team competition

In 1991, Johnson made public that he had been diagnosed with HIV.[1] He is a supporter of AIDS prevention.

In 1992, Johnson was a member of the United States men's national basketball team. That team won an Olympic gold medal.[2]

He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002[3] and was also named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.

On February 21, 2017, Johnson replaced Jim Buss as the president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers.[4] On April 9, 2019, Johnson resigned from his role as president of basketball operations of the Lakers wishing to return to his role of NBA ambassador.[5][6][7]

References

change
  1. Magic Johnson 20 years later
  2. "The Original Dream Team". NBA.com.
  3. "Earvin "Magic" Johnson". Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2011-02-15. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
  4. Ganguli, Tania (February 21, 2017). "Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, exec Jim Buss relieved of duties as Magic Johnson takes over basketball operations". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  5. "Magic Johnson steps down as Lakers' president of basketball operations". NBA.com. April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  6. Beacham, Greg (April 9, 2019). "Magic Johnson abruptly resigns as Lakers' president". AP News. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  7. "Magic Johnson: Los Angeles Lakers legend resigns". BBC.co.uk. April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.

Other websites

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  Media related to Magic Johnson at Wikimedia Commons