Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the star who led MSU to a NCAA Championship in 1979, is about to live through another Magic moment.

On Friday, his old coaches, teammates, friends and family will gather in Springfield, Mass., to hear Larry Bird, his greatest rival and friend, induct Johnson into the NBA Hall of Fame.

The 6-foot-9 point guard revolutionized basketball and was the tallest point guard to ever play in the NBA. Johnson won five NBA titles in 13 years and was named MVP three times.

In 1991, Johnson left the L.A. Lakers and retired from basketball after announcing that he is HIV positive.

Johnson grew up in the Lansing area, playing at Lansing Everett and MSU before his years in the NBA.

“Being a Magic fan, it’s good to see Magic go into the Hall of Fame,” former MSU point guard Mateen Cleaves said. “As a kid growing up, watching Magic play, the passion, when he plays you know he enjoys playing ball. He wanted to win every time he was out there.”

For more information about this report, please see Friday’s edition of The State News.