Magic Johnson Biography

Fast Facts

• Founded the Magic Johnson Foundation to focus on HIV/AIDS initiatives, scholarship programs and community empowerment centers
• In 2002, he was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame
• Was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history
• Won five championships in nine tries and three most valuable player awards over the course of his NBA career
• Though he was recruited by some of the biggest basketball superpowers in the U․S․, he chose to attend Michigan State so he could stay close to home
• Earned his nickname during his attention-drawing high school career at Everett High School in East Lansing, Mich
• Was the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft and led the Lakers to the NBA championships in his first season
• In the 1980s, he was the captain of the Showtime, the Lakers' high-scoring, fast-paced offense
• Opened Magic Johnson Enterprises, which operates AMC Magic Johnson Theatres, Starbucks Coffee outlets, Burger King restaurants and 24-Hour Fitness/Magic Johnson Sport health clubs
• Became the owner of nearly a 5% share of the Lakers