Magic Johnson

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Earvin "Magic" Johnson became the Los Angeles Lakers' face during their "showtime" years, which considering the number of other personalities, was no small accomplishment.


Johnson is regarded as one of the best Point Guards in the history of the NBA, and he would lead the Lakers to five NBA titles where he was a three-time finals MVP. A scorer, a distributor, a leader, and a defender, Johnson was a superstar by every definition.

In 1991, Johnson was forced to retire from basketball due to contracting HIV abruptly. This was considered a death sentence in the early 90s, but he would come back to play, including participating in the Olympics for the gold medal, winning the United States 1992 "dream team."

Johnson became a successful basketball executive and entrepreneur and proved that HIV was beatable and not a death sentence.

We are proud to nominate Magic Johnson for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

Additional Info

  • Sport: Basketball
  • Statistics:

    5 NBA Championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 & 1988)
    3 MVPs (1980, 1982 & 1987)
    9 All-NBA First Teams Selections (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 & 1991)
    12 All-Star Games (1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 & 1992)
    4 Assists Titles (1983, 1984, 1986 & 1987)
    2 Steals Titles (1981 & 1982)
    1 Olympic Gold Medal (1992)
    1 NCAA Championship (1979)
    1 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Award (1979)
    1-Time First Team All-American (1979)
    17,707 NBA Points
    6,559 NBA Rebounds
    10,141 NBA Assists
    1,724 NBA Steals
    374 NBA Blocks
    Member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
    Member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame
    Number retired by the Los Angeles Lakers
    Number retired by Michigan State University
    Named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team

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