- On 7 November 1991 he shocked the nation by announcing he was HIV positive and that, after twelve years with the Lakers, he would retire immediately from the game of basketball.
- Johnson carried his friendly rivalry with Larry Bird from college to the pros.
- Earvin "Magic" Johnson is the only NBA rookie to date to receive the Finals MVP Award. He was 20 years old and the year was 1980.
- As of 2007, his net worth has been estimated at $900 million.
- Still plays basketball regularly.
- Has retired from basketball on three different occasions. the last time following the 1995-1996 season, which was the season before the L.A. Lakers got Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.
- Member of U.S. Olympic gold medal team (1992).
- Children: son E.J. Johnson (Earvin Johnson III) (b. 4 June 1992), daughter Elisa Johnson, adopted in January 1995, by wife Cookie Johnson. He also has a son, Andre Johnson.
- (May 3, 2012) Became co-owner, with Peter Guber, Mark Walter and Stan Kasten, of MLB's L.A. Dodgers with a bid of $2.15 billion.
- Head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers (1993-1994) (5-13).
- Founded a chain of movie theatres, Magic Johnson Theatres, located in inner-city neighborhoods.
- Holds NBA Finals single-game records for most points by a rookie with 42 on May 6, 1980 vs. Philadelphia; and most assists in one half with 14 on June 19, 1988 vs. Detroit. Shares NBA Finals single-game record for most assists in one quarter with 8 (he did in four times). Holds single-series playoff record for highest assists per game average with 17.0 in 1985. Shares single-game playoff records for most free throws made in one half with 19 on May 8, 1991 vs. Golden State; most assists with 24 on May 15, 1984 vs. Phoenix; and most assists in one half with 15 on May 3, 1985 vs. Portland. NBA All-Star twelve times (1980, 1982-1992). NBA All-Star MVP twice (1990, 1992). NBA All-Star-Holds career record for most assists with 127; holds career record for most three-point field goals made with 10; and hold single game record for most assists with 22 (1984, OT).
Broadcaster, NBC Sports (1992 through 1994). Vice President, Los Angeles Lakers (1994-1995 to present). Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history (1996). - Nicknamed "Magic" by sportswriter Fred Stabley, Jr., during his career at Everett High School (Lansing, Michigan).
- Played for Michigan State University (Lansing, MI), 1977-1979. NCAA Division I Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1979). The Sporting News All-America First Team (1979). All-America twice (1978-1979). All-Big Ten twice (1978-1979). Inducted into Michigan State University Athletics Hall of Fame (1992).
- Played for the Los Angeles Lakers (1979-1980 through 1990-1991, 1995-1996). Los Angeles Lakers franchise all-time assists leader with 10,141 and all-time steals leader with 1,724. Named NBA MVP three times (1987, 1989, 1990). IBM Award for all-around contributions to team's success (1994). All-NBA First Team nine times (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991) and Second Team once (1982). NBA All-Rookie Team (1982). J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1992). Selected first overall in 1979 NBA Draft. Led NBA with 3.43 steals per game (1981) and 2.67 steals per game (1982). Holds career record for highest assists per game average with 11.2. Shares career record for most consecutive seasons leading league in steals with 2. NBA Finals MVP three times (1980, 1982, 1987). Holds career playoff record for most assists (2,346). Holds NBA Finals single-series record for highest assist per game average with 14.0 in 1985; and highest assists per game average by a rookie with 8.7 in 1980.
- Enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
- Won the national championship with the Michigan State Spartans in 1979.
- Friends with Arsenio Hall, Steve Harvey, Dave Winfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Harris, and Larry Bird.
- Born on the same day as actress Marcia Gay Harden.
- Professional basketball player.
- Attended Everett High School in Lansing, MI.
- His net worth is an estimated $500 million. (September 2016)
- Briefly coached the the L.A. Lakers in 1994.
- Got married on Nas's 18th birthday.
- (July 21, 2023) Became co-owner, with Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales, of NFL's Washington Commanders with a bid of $6.05 billion.
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