Magic Johnson
(Announcer)

TURNER SPORTS

For the fifth consecutive year, Johnson will make numerous appearances as an NBA analyst on TNT's exclusive Thursday night NBA coverage.

Johnson debuted with Turner Sports as a guest studio analyst during the 2001-02 NBA Playoffs.

CAREER

He is one of the NBA's 50 greatest players in history and won five NBA championships with the L.A. Lakers, an Olympic gold medal in 1992 and a NCAA championship. He is one of only seven players in the history of the sport to capture the latter three accolades.

He was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player three times (1987, 1989, 1990), earned All-NBA First Team honors nine times and participated in 11 All-Star Games. He joins John Stockton as the only player to eclipse the 10,000-career assist plateau (March 7, 1996 vs. Sacramento).

He was named NBA Finals MVP three times (1980, 1982, 1987) and with his 1980 award, Magic became the first and only rookie in NBA annals to win MVP honors in the Finals.

Johnson concluded his career with a 138 triple-doubles, a modern-day record and led the Lakers in scoring three seasons and in assists nine times. He also paced the NBA in steals during both the 1980-81 and 1981-82 campaigns.

He initially retired on November 7, 1991, due to the HIV virus, then was voted as a starter in the 1992 All-Star Game. He briefly returned to the game in January, 1996, for 40 games until his second retirement in 1996.

Johnson spent a brief tenure as head coach of the Lakers late in 1993-94, assuming those duties on March 27, 1994. Magic is currently in his ninth season as the Vice President of the LA Lakers.

PERSONAL

Born August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan, Johnson received the nickname "Magic" from a Lansing sportswriter, Fred Stabley, Jr., following a 36-point, 18-rebound, 16-assist performance for Everett High School.

He is founder and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE), focusing his efforts on improving the quality of life for underserved urban areas. He has revitalized neglected communities by bringing Magic Johnson Theaters, Starbucks, T.G.I.Fridays and retail centers into the inner city. Most recently, he has teamed up with 24-Hour Fitness to create a chain of new concept clubs called 24-Hour Fitness Magic Johnson Sport clubs.

His Magic Johnson foundation raises money to fund community-based organizations serving the educational, health and social needs of children residing in inner city communities, and HIV/AIDS organizations specializing in education, prevention and care geared toward young people.

He is an Ambassador of Peace for the United Nations and has also worked with the Make A Wish Foundation, the United Negro College Fund, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Starlight Foundation, the American Heart Association, and the Urban League.

He resides in Beverly Hills, CA, with his wife Cookie, sons Andre and Earvin III, and daughter Elisa.