Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson - Sportspersons, Family and Facts

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Magic Johnson Biography Stories 

Magic Johnson's Personal Details

Magic Johnson is a retired American professional basketball player, counted among the greatest basketball players of all time

InformationDetail
BirthdayAugust 14, 1959
NationalityAmerican
FamousPhilanthropists, Michigan State University, Sportspersons, Basketball Players
City/StateMichigan
SpousesEarlitha Kelly
SiblingsMichael Johnson
Known asEarvin Magic Johnson Jr.
ChildrensAndre Johnson, Earvin III Johnson, Elisa Johnson
Universities
  • Michigan State University
  • 1979 - Michigan State University
  • Everett High School
Notable Alumnis
  • Michigan State University
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Magic Johnson Enterprises
  • Magic Johnson Foundation
  • Magic Johnson Theatres
  • Walton Isaacson
Birth PlaceLansing
ReligionChristianity
Height206
GenderMale
FatherEarvin Johnson Sr.
MotherChristine Johnson
Net Worth$600 million as of Apr 20,2017
Sun SignLeo
Born inLansing
Famous asBasketball player

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Magic Johnson's photo

Who is Magic Johnson?

Magic Johnson is a retired American professional basketball player, counted among the greatest basketball players of all time. He played professional basketball for 13 seasons, all of them with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A tall, well-built man, he is famous for his powerful arms, agility and speed that helped him become one of the most formidable players in the world during the 1980s. Magic Johnson grew up in a big family with several siblings and developed an early love for basketball. His father, though not a professional basketball player, was an athletic man who had played the sport during his high school days. His mother too encouraged his passion for the game. He proved to be a wonderful player, playing for the school team in Everett High School, and finished his high school career with two All-State selections, and was considered at the time to be the best high school player ever to emerge from Michigan. He then went to study at the Michigan State University where he continued playing the sport. After college he was recruited by the Los Angeles Lakers with whom he spent his entire career. Diagnosed to be HIV-positive, he is also known for his HIV activism and philanthropic activities

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born as Earvin Johnson Jr. in Lansing, Michigan on August 14, 1959. His father, Earvin Sr., was a General Motors assembly worker, and mother Christine, was a school custodian. He has several siblings.

Both of his parents were interested in basketball and his father had played high school basketball in his home state of Mississippi. Young Earvin also developed an early interest in the sport.

He went to the Everett High School and was one of the school’s star basketball players. Once as a 15 year old he recorded a triple-double of 36 points, 18 rebounds and 16 assists in a game, and this incredible feat earned him the nickname “Magic”.

After high school, he joined the Michigan State University where he continued playing basketball. Once again he proved to be an exceptional player and dazzled throughout his collegiate career.

Career

He was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. After a good show in the initial seasons, he signed a 25-year, $25-million contract with the Lakers.

He performed exceedingly well in the 1981–82 season and averaged 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and a league-high 2.7 steals per game, and was voted a member of the All-NBA Second Team.

Johnson averaged 18.3 points, 12.6 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game in the 1984–85 regular season and led the Lakers into the 1985 NBA Finals. The Lakers faced the Boston Celtics in the finals and Johnson, along with Abdul-Jabbar led the team to victory.

He registered a career-high of 23.9 points, as well as 12.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game in the 1986–87 season. The Lakers faced the Celtics once again in the 1987 NBA Finals, and Johnson played the game-winning shot and was awarded a Finals MVP title.

His great form continued over the next few years and he scored 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game in the 1988–89 NBA season. Once again the Lakers reached the NBA Finals in 1989, but an injury kept Johnson away from the action, and his team lost to the Pistons.

An incident in 1991 changed his life forever—he was diagnosed with HIV infection. He publicly announced his diagnosis and decided to retire. In spite of his retirement he was chosen to compete in the 1992 Summer Olympics for the US basketball team. The team dominated the competition and won the gold medal with an 8–0 record.

After his retirement he wrote a book on safe sex and ran several businesses. However, his love for basketball made him return to the NBA as the coach of the Lakers near the end of the 1993–94 NBA season. Initially he found some success as the coach and the team played well under him, but later on the team went through a ten-game losing streak following which he resigned as the coach.

He made a comeback as a player by re-joining the Lakers during the 1995–96 NBA season. In February, he scored 15 points, along with 10 rebounds and 13 assists in a victory against the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game in 32 games in the season. He then retired for good following the season.

Awards & Achievements

In 1979, he was named the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

He won the Most Valuable Player Award three times (1987, 1989, 1990).

The J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award was bestowed upon him in 1992.

Johnson was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.

Personal Life & Legacy

He was in a brief relationship with Melissa Mitchell which resulted in the birth of a son in 1981.

He married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly in 1991. The couple has one biological son and an adopted daughter.

In late 1991 he announced that he was HIV positive. He takes a daily combination of drugs to prevent his HIV infection from progressing to AIDS.

Net Worth

Magic Johnson has a net worth of $500 million.

Trivia

He is the founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation, an organization dedicated to combat HIV/AIDS. He is an outspoken HIV activist and was the main speaker for the United Nations (UN) World AIDS Day Conference in 1999

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Magic Johnson's awards

YearNameAward

Other

01992; 1990 - NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award
1980NBA All-Rookie Team
1992National Basketball Association Awards - J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
1993Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album - What You Can Do To Avoid AIDS
2003BET Humanitarian Award
2009NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Instructional - 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business
1992NAACP Image Award - Jackie Robinson Sports Award
2009The BET Honors Award for Corporate Citizen
01990; 1989; 1987 - NBA Most Valuable Player Award
0 1987; 1982; 1980 - Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
0 1991; 1990; 1989 - All-NBA Team

Magic Johnson biography timelines

  • // 14th Aug 1959
    He was born as Earvin Johnson Jr. in Lansing, Michigan on August 14, 1959. His father, Earvin Sr., was a General Motors assembly worker, and mother Christine, was a school custodian. He has several siblings.
  • // 1979
    He was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. After a good show in the initial seasons, he signed a 25-year, $25-million contract with the Lakers.
  • // 1979
    In 1979, he was named the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
  • // 1981
    He performed exceedingly well in the 1981–82 season and averaged 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and a league-high 2.7 steals per game, and was voted a member of the All-NBA Second Team.
  • // 1981
    He was in a brief relationship with Melissa Mitchell which resulted in the birth of a son in 1981.
  • // 1984 To 1985
    Johnson averaged 18.3 points, 12.6 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game in the 1984–85 regular season and led the Lakers into the 1985 NBA Finals. The Lakers faced the Boston Celtics in the finals and Johnson, along with Abdul-Jabbar led the team to victory.
  • // 1986 To 1987
    He registered a career-high of 23.9 points, as well as 12.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game in the 1986–87 season. The Lakers faced the Celtics once again in the 1987 NBA Finals, and Johnson played the game-winning shot and was awarded a Finals MVP title.
  • // 1987 To 1990
    He won the Most Valuable Player Award three times (1987, 1989, 1990).
  • // 1988 To 1989
    His great form continued over the next few years and he scored 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game in the 1988–89 NBA season. Once again the Lakers reached the NBA Finals in 1989, but an injury kept Johnson away from the action, and his team lost to the Pistons.
  • // 1991 To 1992
    An incident in 1991 changed his life forever—he was diagnosed with HIV infection. He publicly announced his diagnosis and decided to retire. In spite of his retirement he was chosen to compete in the 1992 Summer Olympics for the US basketball team. The team dominated the competition and won the gold medal with an 8–0 record.
  • // 1991
    He married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly in 1991. The couple has one biological son and an adopted daughter.
  • // 1991
    In late 1991 he announced that he was HIV positive. He takes a daily combination of drugs to prevent his HIV infection from progressing to AIDS.
  • // 1992
    The J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award was bestowed upon him in 1992.
  • // 1993
    After his retirement he wrote a book on safe sex and ran several businesses. However, his love for basketball made him return to the NBA as the coach of the Lakers near the end of the 1993–94 NBA season. Initially he found some success as the coach and the team played well under him, but later on the team went through a ten-game losing streak following which he resigned as the coach.
  • // 1995
    He made a comeback as a player by re-joining the Lakers during the 1995–96 NBA season. In February, he scored 15 points, along with 10 rebounds and 13 assists in a victory against the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game in 32 games in the season. He then retired for good following the season.
  • // 1996
    Johnson was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.
  • // 1999
    He is the founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation, an organization dedicated to combat HIV/AIDS. He is an outspoken HIV activist and was the main speaker for the United Nations (UN) World AIDS Day Conference in 1999

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Magic Johnson's FAQ

  • What is Magic Johnson birthday?

    Magic Johnson was born at 1959-08-14

  • Where is Magic Johnson's birth place?

    Magic Johnson was born in Lansing

  • What is Magic Johnson nationalities?

    Magic Johnson's nationalities is American

  • Who is Magic Johnson spouses?

    Magic Johnson's spouses is Earlitha Kelly

  • Who is Magic Johnson siblings?

    Magic Johnson's siblings is Michael Johnson

  • Who is Magic Johnson childrens?

    Magic Johnson's childrens is Andre Johnson, Earvin III Johnson, Elisa Johnson

  • What was Magic Johnson universities?

    Magic Johnson studied at Michigan State University, 1979 - Michigan State University, Everett High School

  • What was Magic Johnson notable alumnis?

    Magic Johnson's notable alumnis is Michigan State University

  • Which company or organization was founded by Magic Johnson?

    Magic Johnson was the founder/co-founder of Magic Johnson Enterprises, Magic Johnson Foundation, Magic Johnson Theatres, Walton Isaacson

  • What is Magic Johnson's religion?

    Magic Johnson's religion is Christianity

  • How tall is Magic Johnson?

    Magic Johnson's height is 206

  • Who is Magic Johnson's father?

    Magic Johnson's father is Earvin Johnson Sr.

  • Who is Magic Johnson's mother?

    Magic Johnson's mother is Christine Johnson

  • What is Magic Johnson's sun sign?

    Magic Johnson is Leo

  • How famous is Magic Johnson?

    Magic Johnson is famouse as Basketball player