Magic Johnson – Early Life, Net Worth, Stats & Rings

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Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. is an American former professional basketball player and president of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

He was one of the best point guards of all time and is also considered as one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the NBA. 

Likewise, his career achievements consist of three NBA MVP Awards, nine NBA Finals appearances, twelve All-Star games, and ten All-NBA First and Second Team nominations.

Magic Johnson Smiling
Magic Johnson Smiling

With so much going on and so much to look forward to, why did he abruptly retire from basketball?

Before we go into details, here are some quick facts below.

Quick Facts

Full Name Earvin Johnson Jr.
Birth Date 14 August 1959
Birth Place Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Zodiac Sign Leo
Nick Name Magic Johnson, Buck, E.J., the Deejay, Tragic
Religion Christianity
Nationality American
Ethnicity African American
Father’s Name Earvin Johnson Sr.
Mother’s Name Christine Johnson
Siblings 6 siblings and 3 half-siblings
Education Everett High School; Michigan State University
Age 64 Years Old
Height 6 ft. 9 in. (or 206 cm)
Weight 220 pounds (or 100 kg)
Body Build Muscular
Hair Colour None
Eye Colour Brown
Married Yes
Spouse Earlitha “Cookie” Kelly
Children Andre Johnson (from the previous partner), Earvin III Johnson, Elisa Johnson (Adopted)
Profession Retired Basketball Player; Former Coach
Position in team Point Guard, Power Forward, and Shooting Guard
Shoots Right
Jersey Number #32
Affiliations Los Angeles Lakers
Net Worth $630 million
Social Media Twitter: @MagicJohnson
Instagram: @magicjohnson
Merch Funko POP, Jersey
Last Update March, 2024

Where is Magic Johnson from? Early Childhood and Education

Magic was born on 14 August 1959 in Lansing, Michigan, U.S. He is the son of Earvin Sr., who was a General Motors assembly worker, and Christine Johnson, who was a school janitor.

He has six siblings and three half-siblings, all of whose names are unknown.

Magic Johnson With Family
Magic Johnson With Family

His parents would work day and night to provide for their children; it is said to have influenced Magic’s work ethic.

He also came from an athletic family as both his parents used to play basketball when they were in high school. Magic’s nationality is American, and his ethnicity is African American. He follows Christianity.

Magic Johnson on the Court
Magic Johnson on the Court.

When transferring to a high school, Magic was hoping to be enrolled at Sexton High School, but he was sent to Everett High School, which was predominantly white.

Because of it, he had to face quite a lot of incidents of racism. He quotes in his autobiography, My Life:

“As I look back on it today, I see the whole picture very differently. It’s true that I hated missing out on Sexton. After a few months, I was miserable at Everett. But being bused to Everett turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. It got me out of my own little world and taught me how to understand white people, how to communicate and deal with them.”

Magic was nicknamed as Magic as a 15-year-old sophomore when he recorded a triple-double of 36 points, 18 rebounds, 16 assists when playing for Everett High School.

Many top-ranked colleges recruited him, but he decided to play close to home. Because he could play the point guard position, he chose Michigan State University.

He graduated with a communication studies major.

How tall is Magic Johnson | Age, Height, and Physical Appearance

Magic is 62 years old, and since he was born on 14 August, his zodiac sign is Leo. And from what we know, people of this sign are known for being talented, focused, and goal-oriented, among other signs.

Moreover, Magic stands 6 feet and 9 inches tall (or 206 cm) (tallest point guard in league history) and weighs about 220 pounds (or 100 kg).

His brown eyes compliment his smooth skin, not to mention his muscular body structure. 

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Magic Johnson | Career

After thirteen years of playing professional basketball, Magic has accomplished a lot throughout his career. Here is his career in detail.

If you are searching for Magic Johnson’s rookie card, you can click the link to follow!

High School Career

In his final senior high school season, he led Everett to a 27-1 win-loss record and averaged 28.8 points and 16.8 rebounds per game.

He took his team to an overtime victory in the state championship game.

Magic Johnson With His School's Friends
Magic Johnson With His School’s Friends

Overall, he had two All-State selections, was named the best high school player ever of Michigan, and the 1977 McDonald’s All-American team.

Where did magic johnson go to college? College Career

During his freshman year, Magic averaged 17.0 points, 7.9  rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.

He led the Spartans (Michigan State basketball team) to a 25-5 record, the Big Ten Conference title, and a berth in the 1978 NCAA Tournament.

During his second year, Spartans defeated Indiana State 75-64 (team led by future Boston Celtics star Larry Bird), and he was voted Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

Overall, throughout his college life, he averaged 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game.

Lon Angeles Lakers

Rookie Season

Magic was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. In his first season, he averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7,3 assists per game, was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Team, and was named an NBA All-Star Game starter.

He was the only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award and became one of four players to win NCAA and NBA championships consecutively.

1980-1982

Early on in the 1980-1981 season, he suffered torn cartilage in his left knee and had to miss 45 games.

Overall in the season, he 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.

During the championship series against the Sixers, he averaged 16.2 points on .533 shooting, 10.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.

He averaged 16.8 points, 10.5 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game during the 1982–83 NBA season and received his first All-NBA First Team nomination.

Lakers lost to the Sixers that season, and he averaged 19.0 points on .403 shooting, 12.5 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game.

1983-1987

Magic’s fifth season, he averaged a double-double of 17.6 points and 13.1 assists, as well as 7.3 rebounds per game. He averaged 18.0 points on .560 shooting, 13.6 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game during the NBA finals.

Here, the Lakers reached the Finals for the third time in a row but lost to the Boston Celtics.

Johnson scored 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, where they again faced the Celtics.

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This time, the Lakers won, and Magic averaged 18.3 points on .494 shooting, 14.0 assists, and 6.8 rebounds per game in the championship series.

Johnson scored a career-high of 23.9 points in the following season, as well as 12.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game, and won his first MVP award in the regular season.

In the NBA Finals, the Lakers met the Celtics for the third time. The Lakers won the game 107-106.

Magic Dribbling a Basketball
Magic Dribbling a Basketball

1987-1991

In 1988, the Lakers won their fifth and final NBA championship of Magic’s career, and he averaged 21.1 points on .550 shooting, 13.0 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game.

In the 1989-90 season, he averaged 22.3 points, 11.5 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game. During the last championship series of his career in 1991, he averaged 18.6 points on .431 shooting, 12.4 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game.

Dream Team

In the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics, Magic, including Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and Larry Bird, was chosen to compete for the U.S. basketball team.

This team was dubbed the “Dream Team.” The team won the gold medal with an 8-0 record. Magic averaged 8.0 points per game during the Olympics, and his 5.5 assists per game were second on the team.

Post Basketball

Magic came back to the NBA as coach of the Lakers near the end of the 1993-94 NBA season. He has written a book on safe sex, runs several businesses, and worked for NBC as a commentator. He has hosted a number of charity events. 

Career stats

Year
Team
GP
Min
Pts
FG%
3pt%
Reb
Ast
Stl
Blk
1995
Los Angeles Lakers
32
29.9
14.6
46.6
37.9
5.7
6.9
0.8
0.4
1990
Los Angeles Lakers
79
37.1
19.4
47.7
32.0
7.0
12.5
1.3
0.2
1989
Los Angeles Lakers
79
37.2
22.3
48.0
38.4
6.6
11.5
1.7
0.4
1988
Los Angeles Lakers
77
37.5
22.5
50.9
31.4
7.9
12.8
1.8
0.3
1987
Los Angeles Lakers
72
36.6
19.6
49.2
19.6
6.2
11.9
1.6
0.2
1986
Los Angeles Lakers
80
36.3
23.9
52.2
20.5
6.3
12.2
1.7
0.4
1985
Los Angeles Lakers
72
35.8
18.8
52.6
23.3
5.9
12.6
1.6
0.2
1984
Los Angeles Lakers
77
36.1
18.3
56.1
18.9
6.2
12.6
1.5
0.3
1983
Los Angeles Lakers
67
38.3
17.6
56.5
20.7
7.3
13.1
2.2
0.7
1982
Los Angeles Lakers
79
36.8
16.8
54.8
0.0
8.6
10.5
2.2
0.6
1981
Los Angeles Lakers
78
38.3
18.6
53.7
20.7
9.6
9.5
2.7
0.4
1980
Los Angeles Lakers
37
37.1
21.6
53.2
17.6
8.6
8.6
3.4
0.7
1979
Los Angeles Lakers
77
36.3
18.0
53.0
22.6
7.7
7.3
2.4
0.5
Career
 
906
36.7
19.5
52.0
30.3
7.2
11.2
1.9
0.4

Magic Johnson | Net Worth

Magic owns a conglomerate company and is involved in various business endeavors. 

As of 2020, Magic Johnson’s net worth is approximately $600 million, making him one of the richest athletes in the world.

More information on his net worth and investments right here: Magic Johnson Net Worth | Contract & Endorsements >>

How many kids do Magic Johnson have? Personal Life

In 1981, Magic had a son, Andre Johnson, from his previous partner Melissa Mitchell. Although his mother raised Andre, he is still close with his father and was later a marketing director at Magic Johnson Enterprises.

Magic Johnson's Wife
Magic Johnson’s Wife

In 1991, Magic married Earlitha “Cookie” Kelly. They have a son Earvin III (E.J.), who was born in 1992, and an adopted daughter Elisa in 1995. He lives in Beverly Hills and has a vacation home in Dana Point, California.

He has written an autobiography called My Life.

HIV Announcement

Before the 1991-92 NBA season, Magic found out that he had HIV. HE made the knowledge public on 7 November 1991 and made a statement that he would retire immediately.

He also stated that his wife, Cookie, and their unborn son (EJ) did not have HIV.

Social Media Presence

Twitter account: 5 million followers

Instagram account: 2.5 million followers

You might be interested in buying Magic Johnson’s autographed items like jerseys, balls, and many more!

Common Queries

Why did Magic Johnson retire?

Magic Johnson announced that he had HIV and would be retiring from the NBA immediately.

Does Magic Johnson still own Starbucks?

While Magic owned Starbucks stores, he sold his 105 Starbucks franchises back to the company in 2010.

How did Magic Johnson get HIV?

Magic Johnson acknowledged that he got HIV through having numerous sexual partners during his playing career.

What businesses does Magic Johnson own?

Magic Johnson owns Magic Johnson Enterprises. His company invests in theatres, real estate, health clubs, and even a promotional marketing company.

How much is a Magic Johnson card worth? How much does Magic Johnson charge for an autograph?

Magic Johnson card is worth $0.18-$0.34. According to the sources, he charges $50 for a 3×5 photo or postcard and $125 for an 8×10 photo or postcard. Likewise, he charges $300 for autographs in a ball and $350 for jerseys. 

How many rings does Magic Johnson have?

Magic Johnson had won five NBA championship rings with Los Angeles Lakers in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988.

Is Magic Johnson a billionaire?

As of 2020, Magic Johnson’s net worth is approximately $600 million.

What Magic Johnson said about Dennis Schroder?

Recently in June 2021, Magic Johnson stated that Dennis Schroder is not a Lakers. Well, he also added that he didn’t bring “a winning mentality” in the Los Angeles team. 

Are Isaiah Thomas and Magic Johnson related?

As a matter of fact, Isaiah Thomas and Magic Johnson aren’t actual buddies, but they had a good term of friendship back in the 1980s. However, along the way, they faced a speed bump in their friendship. But again, recently, the two have got close together after they reconcile in an NBA TV interview. 

“You are my brother. Let me apologize to you if I hurt you—that we haven’t been together. God is good to bring us back together.”
-Magic Johnson

What did Magic Johnson say about Kobe’s death?

Indeed, when the legendary basketball player left the mortal realm, every single people were left devasted. Magic Johnson made the following statement after Kobe’s death. 

 “I’m in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news that Kobe and his young daughter, Gigi, have passed away in a helicopter crash. Cookie and I are heartbroken.”

Click to gain Magic Johnson’s basketball card!

Aaditya Bhatta
Aaditya Bhatta

Aaditya Bhatta

Aaditya Bhatta is a dynamic writer and sports enthusiast, whose passion for both realms is reflected in his work. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Aaditya brings a unique perspective to his writing, captivating readers with his engaging content.

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Aaditya's journey as a writer and sports aficionado began at a young age when he discovered his passion for both pursuits. Throughout his academic and professional endeavors, Aaditya has honed his skills in content creation and sports analysis, immersing himself in the intricacies of the games he loves.

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