Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers point guard, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House on January 4, 2025. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public, or private endeavors .
Johnson’s illustrious basketball career includes five NBA championships, three MVP awards, and 12 All-Star selections. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice: once for his individual career in 2002 and again as a member of the 1992 “Dream Team” in 2010 .
Beyond his on-court achievements, Johnson has been a trailblazer in business and philanthropy. He founded the Magic Johnson Foundation in 1991 to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and has since expanded its mission to support underserved communities through educational programs and scholarships. His business ventures include ownership stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Commanders, and Los Angeles FC .
At the ceremony, President Biden praised Johnson for his “unmatched vision and versatility,” highlighting his role in driving the “Showtime” era for the Lakers and his efforts to shatter stigma around HIV/AIDS. Johnson, visibly moved, expressed his gratitude, stating, “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that this kid from Lansing, MI would one day grow up and receive one of the highest civilian awards of the United States” .
Johnson is the sixth NBA player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, joining the ranks of Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bob Cousy, and Jerry West .
