Magic Johnson: From Lansing to History

One of basketball’s greatest figures grew up on the working-class side of Lansing. Earvin Johnson earned the nickname “Magic” as a sophomore at Lansing’s Everett High School, after a local sportswriter watched him post a triple-double. He led Everett to a state title, then stayed close to home to play at Michigan State.

There, in 1979, the 6-foot-8 point guard — a revelation at that size — led the Spartans to their first national championship. The opponent in the title game was an undefeated Indiana State team led by Larry Bird, and the matchup drew the largest television audience a college basketball game has ever had. That single night is widely credited with launching the modern popularity of both March Madness and the NBA, which Magic and Bird would go on to revive in the 1980s.

Drafted first overall by the Lakers, Magic became a five-time NBA champion and a defining player of his era — but it started in Lansing and East Lansing.