Magic Johnson

Earvin "Magic" Johnson revolutionized the point guard position with his unprecedented 6'9" frame, court vision, and showmanship. Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979, Magic immediately delivered on the biggest stage — winning the 1980 NBA championship as a rookie and earning Finals MVP after his legendary 42-point, 15-rebound, 7-assist Game 6 performance, where he started at center in place of injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Over 13 seasons, Magic led the "Showtime" Lakers to five championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988), earned three Finals MVPs and three regular season MVPs, and redefined fast-break basketball. He was the NBA assists leader four times and finished with 10,141 career assists and 138 triple-doubles. His rivalry with Larry Bird — which began in the 1979 NCAA Championship Game — is credited with saving the NBA from declining ratings in the early 1980s. In November 1991, Magic shocked the world by announcing he was HIV-positive and retired from basketball. His courage in going public helped transform public understanding of HIV/AIDS. He briefly returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game (winning MVP) and as part of the legendary 1992 Dream Team in Barcelona. After a brief comeback in the 1995-96 season, Magic transitioned into one of the most successful athletes-turned-businessmen in history, building a business empire worth over $600 million through Magic Johnson Enterprises.