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Earvin Magic Johnson, Jr.

I choose to write about an African American that is making a positive impact on the lives of people today and is presently living. This person is Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr.
Earvin Johnson, Jr. was born in Lansing, Michigan on August 14, 1959, the sixth of ten children. In order to support the family, Ervin Senior worked at General Motors on the day shift and worked nights at odds jobs. When Earvin Senior had free time, he would watch basketball on television with Junior, and give him advice on strategy. The younger Johnson soon became obsessed with the game, and most days would find him on the basketball court by 7:30 a.m. Even a trip to the neighborhood store became another opportunity to practice. He would dribble with his right hand on the way there and with his left on the way back. Neighbors called Johnson "June Bug" because he was always hopping around the court, but in his 15th year—after a game in which he poured in 36 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, and made 16 assists—a sportswriter changed that nickname forever. Earvin became "Magic". In all four of his high school years, he was selected as part of the Michigan All-Star team, and in his senior year, he led his Everett High School team to the Class A championship.
After graduation, Johnson moved on to Michigan State University, and as a freshman, he helped the Spartans win the 1977-78 Big Ten Championship. The following year, he led his team to the N.C.A.A. Championship game, a highly anticipated match up with College Player of the Year Larry Bird. Johnson's team won convincingly, and he was named Most Valuable Player in the N.C.A.A. Final Four series.
In 1979, after his sophomore championship year, Johnson made himself available for the professional draft and was the first player picked. He went to the Los Angeles Lakers, a mediocre team at the time. At 6 feet 9 inches, Johnson revolutionized the guard position because no player of his height...