Magic Johnson
Chronology
1959 | Born August 14 in Lansing, Michigan |
1973 | Begins freshman year at Lansing Everett High School; named starter on basketball team and given nickname "Magic" |
1975 | Leads team to Class A tournament quarterfinals, named to All-State Squad |
1976 | Leads team to Class A semifinals, again named All-State |
1977 | Leads team to Class A championship, named All-State for third time, enters Michigan State University on basketball scholarship |
1978 | Leads MSU Spartans to Big Ten championship |
1979 | Leads Spartan to NCAA championship, named tournament MVP, sets new school record for season assists, begins rivalry with Larry Bird |
1979 | Foregoes remainder of college career to turn pro, drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round |
1980 | Proves instrumental in Lakers' NBA tournament win, named championship series MVP |
1981 | Son Andre is born on February 20 |
1987 | Named league MVP |
1988 | Leads Lakers to yet another NBA championship, the first time a team wins two in a row since the Boston Celtics in 1969 |
1991 | Marries Earleatha "Cookie" Kelly in September |
1991 | On November 7, publicly announces that he has been diagnosed with HIV and will retire from the NBA |
1991 | Named to President Bush's National AIDS Commission on November 15 |
1992 | Johnson's Number 32 is retired by the Los Angeles Lakers |
1992 | Wins Olympic gold medal as member of U.S. "Dream Team" |
1992 | Son Earvin III is born on June 4 |
1992 | Resigns from National AIDS Commission, citing the government's lack of genuine interest in fighting the disease |
1992 | Joins NBA All-Star team despite his retirement and named game MVP |
1992 | Aborts NBA comeback after several players express fear of catching HIV from contact with Johnson |
1993 | Founds Johnson Development Corporation |
1993-94 | Becomes Lakers head coach for 15 games at end of season |
1994 | Becomes minority owner of Los Angeles Lakers |
1995 | Adopts daughter Elisa |
1996 | Announces on January 29 that he will return to play for the Lakers |
1996 | Retires on his "own terms" on May 14 |
1997 | Founds Magic Johnson Entertainment |
1998 | Hosts talk show, which is canceled after two months |
2002 | Named to Basketball Hall of Fame |
Additional topics
Famous Sports StarsBasketballMagic Johnson Biography - From "june Bug" To "magic", Chronology, Taking Off, Awards And Accomplishments - CONTACT INFORMATION