Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson is a legendary NBA star and Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. The greatest point guard in NBA history, Magic has been honoured as one of the 50 Greatest players in NBA history and in 2021 was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary team. He bravely decided to publicly announce his HIV-positive status in 1991, helping to dispel the prevalent stereotypes held during that period and is widely commended for raising awareness about the condition.

Born in Michigan to a working-class family with a strong work ethic, after his father finished work at General Motors, he would collect garbage which resulted in Magic getting teased by the neighbourhood kids. Sent to a predominantly white school, Magic experienced racism, however, although initially uncomfortable at the school, he went on to earn the nickname Magic in his sophomore year, credited for his school’s 27-1 record. He was able to develop his basketball skills at an early age due to his family’s basketball background, allowing him to show great promise which led to several offers from prestigious universities.

Magic was selected first in the 1979 NBA draft by Los Angeles Lakers due to his impressive school and college record. In his 13 seasons in the NBA, he won five NBA championships, three NBA MVPs, three NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Awards and 12 All-star Games. He was selected to be part of the Dream Team, winning Gold at the 1992 Olympic Games. After retiring from basketball for the third and final time, Magic went on to found Magic Johnson All-Stars a barnstorming team playing exhibition games. He went on to win several prestigious awards such as a Grammy Award, NAACP Image Award and LA businessman of the Year Award.

His business ventures extend to part ownership of the Lakers, and investments in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Sparks, who under his guidance went on to win more games. In recognition of his extraordinary talent, he was inducted two times into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was named one of the most influential black businessmen by Ebony magazine in 2009. A legendary basketball player, highly successful businessman and philanthropist, Magic Johnson is an exceptional speaker to book.