On August 14, 1959, a true Michigan State legend, and an American icon, was born when Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson came to us in Lansing, Michigan. His father was a GM factory worker. His mom was a school janitor.
Earvin was first called ‘Magic’ while playing at Everett High School. He went 27-1 in his senior year and averaged 28.8 points and 18.8 rebounds-per-game before heading to Michigan State.
Of course, to this day, one of the most famous facets of Magic’s game is that he was a point guard the size of a power forward. He was heavily recruited out of high school but chose MSU because coach Jud Heathcote agreed to let him play point guard. Players like Ben Simmons owe Coach Heathcote a debt of gratitude for that decision.
Johnson joined a stacked Spartan team, featuring future NBA players Greg Kelser, Jay Vincent, and Mike Brkovich. In his second year with the team, Magic led the Spartans to what was perhaps the most famous college basketball game ever when they faced off against Indiana State and star player Larry Bird.
Magic and the Spartans defeated Bird and Indiana State 75-64 to win the title and cement Magic’s position as one of the best college basketball players of all time. He would, of course, go on to be the #1 pick in the 1979 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and go on to become a 5x NBA Champion, 3x NBA MVP, and an Olympic Gold Medalist.
