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Earvin Johnson was born in Lansing , Michigan . He passed his High School from Lansing Everett. He was in High School for three years from 1974 to 1977. He was given the nickname "Magic" by a sports writer at Everett High School, who had just seen the 15-year-old prepster notch 36 points, 16 rebounds and 16 assists. At high school, he was named Associated Press and United Press All-State for three years and was McDonald's All-American for one year 1976-77. He was in Michigan State University from 1977 to 1979. In university he led Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA championship in a classic battle against Indiana State 's Larry Bird, a rivalry that continued throughout the 1980s with the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. At the university he led Michigan State to NCAA Championship in 1979. He was also named NCAA Division I Tournament Most Outstanding Player the same season and made to the Sporting News All-America First Team. In the same season he also made to the All-America twice and All-Big Ten twice. In the NBA Finals he played on all positions on the court and scored 42 points and was named the NBA Finals MVP, the first of three selections (1980, 1982, and 1987). In 1980-81 he missed 45 games due to torn cartilage in his left knee. |
