Earvin "Magic" Johnson
Childhood & High School Career
Earvin Johnson was born on August 14, 1959 in Lansing, Michigan. He grew up with nine brothers and sisters. Earvin always had a passion for basketball. Everyday, he would wake up at 7:30 am and start practicing. Johnson went to Everett High School. He made the basketball team and that's where he earned his nickname "Magic." Johnson earned his nickname after getting 36 points, 16 assists, and 16 rebounds in a single game.
College career
Johnson attended Michigan State University and continued his basketball career. Standing at 6 feet, 9 inches tall, he was a very interesting point guard. In his freshmen year, he helped the spartans and was able to grab the BIG 10 Conference Title. It was the first title they acheived in nine seasons. The following season, Magic Johnson led the spartans to the NCAA finals, where they faced off against Indiana State Sycamores. That game is where Magic first met his soon to be rival in the NBA, Larry Bird.
NBA Career & Later Life
Only being in college for two years, Magic Johnson was drafted to the Los Angelas Lakers as the no.1 pick in the NBA draft. He did good in his first season in the NBA. He averaged 18 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. Johnson led the Lakers to the NBA Finals 9 times in his 12 year NBA career. On November 7th, 1991, Magic Johnson retires after becoming positive for AIDS. Instead of giving up his dream, he decideds to coach the Lakers for one year in 1994. Now, he is the Vice President of the Lakers.