Johnson, Magic (1959-…), ranks as one of the greatest players in basketball history. Johnson, who stands 6 feet 9 inches (206 centimeters) tall, played guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Johnson revolutionized the guard position because no player of his height had previously blended quickness and agility with superior dribbling, passing, and shooting skills.
Earvin Johnson, Jr., was born on Aug. 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan. He was nicknamed “Magic” after one of his sensational performances for Lansing’s Everett High School. Johnson attended Michigan State University and, as a sophomore, led the team to the 1978-1979 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship. He joined the Lakers in 1979, and helped the team win five championships. Johnson won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award for the 1986-1987, 1988-1989, and 1989-1990 seasons. Johnson’s career total of 10,141 assists was an NBA record until it was broken by John Stockton in the 1994-1995 season.
Johnson retired at the beginning of the 1991-1992 season, after he tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. He returned to competition as a member of the “Dream Team,” the United States basketball team that won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. Johnson served briefly as head coach of the Lakers in 1994. He returned to the Lakers as a player early in 1996 but again announced his retirement at the end of the season.
After his retirement from basketball, Johnson became a successful businessman specializing in the economic revival of inner city neighborhoods. Johnson’s autobiography, My Life, was published in 1992. Johnson and fellow basketball star Larry Bird co-wrote When the Game Was Ours (2009), an account of their careers, rivalry on the court, and friendship. From 1994 to 2010, Johnson was a part owner of the Lakers. In 2012, Johnson became a part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers major league baseball team. From 2017 to 2019, Johnson served as president of basketball operations for the Lakers.
