Basketball Player: Earvin "Magic" Johnson
(Magic Johnson dribbling the ball during a game. Image courtesy of ScratchHitSports)
Background
Basketball icon Magic Johnson was born Earvin Johnson Jr. on August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan.
He grew up in a family with nine brothers and sisters.
Earvins parents both had jobs. His dad worked for the General Motors plant in town and his mother for as a school custodian.
He went to Everett High School where he earned his name "Magic", after a sportswriter witnessed him score 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists in one game.
(Earvin with his high school coach. Image courtesy of Open Court)
After high school, Magic Johnson continued to play in college for his home state college, Michigan State University.
He was 6 feet 9 inches tall at the time, which helped him be an impressive point guard.
Johnson excelled during his freshman year, by helping his team clinch the Big Ten Conference title.
The following year, he played an important role in taking the Michigan all the way to the NCAA Finals.
After only playing 2 years of college basketball, Magic entered the draft and was drafted 1st pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979.
(Earvin dunking on Bob Heaton during college game vs indiana. Image courtesy of LookingForBasketball)
Accomplishments
As a player
- 5× NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
- 3× NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)
- 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1987, 1989, 1990)
- 12× NBA All-Star (1980, 1982–1992)
- 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992)
- 9× All-NBA First Team (1983–1991)
- All-NBA Second Team (1982)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1980)
- 4× NBA assists leader (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987)
- 2× NBA steals leader (1981, 1982)
Quotes by Johnson
“In life, winning and losing will both happen. What is never acceptable is quitting.”
“I grew up poor, but I didn't have poor dreams."
“Talent is never enough. With few exceptions the best players are the hardest workers.”
“When you face a crisis, you know who your true friends are.”
HIV Diagnosis
November 1991, Magic Johnson retired from the Lakers after revealing that he had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.He contracted the disease through unprotected sexual activity. There was also a lot of fear and confusion regarding how the disease could be transmitted.Johnson's decision to go public with his medical condition helped raise awareness about the disease. He established the Magic Johnson Foundation to support HIV/AIDS research efforts and awareness programs that same year. In the "10 questions" article Johnson was asked, "How is it that you are still alive?" His response was, "Great question. Well, taking my meds and working out every day. Having a positive attitude. And early detection--we caught it early on and jumped on the medicine right away. That's why we're always encouraging young people to go get tested. Because the earlier you find out anything--it's not just HIV and AIDS, it's cancer, whatever it is--those doctors can jump on it right away and help save your life."
Additional Information
10 Questions Magic Johnson.pdf
(Page researched and written by Taji Owens.)
