The "Magic" is back in East Lansing - this time, forever.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson, former MSU standout and 1979 national champion, unveiled a 12-foot, bronze-cast statue of his likeness Saturday morning in front of hundreds of fans gathered outside the Breslin Center.
His trademark smile flashed for cameras outside, but a ceremony preceding the unveiling revealed the life-long Spartan shaking with emotion.
"My whole life I wanted to be a Spartan," Johnson said. "That's what I always will be."
The $250,000 statue titled "Always a Champion" immortalizes Johnson dribbling with one hand while directing teammates with the other. The base represents championships Johnson has won at four levels of play - high school, NCAA and NBA titles and an Olympic gold medal in 1992.
The statue was designed and built by Omri Amrany, an Illinois-based sculptor who created the Michael Jordan statue standing outside of Chicago's United Center and the Harry Caray statue outside of Wrigley Field.
On hand to honor the former All-American were members of the 1979 championship team, the 2003-04 MSU men's basketball team and Johnson's former coaches, Lansing Everett High School's George Fox and former MSU head coach Jud Heathcote.
"Jud always taught us no one person is bigger than a program," Johnson said. "I didn't achieve this alone. It was always about winning. It was always about being a Spartan."
Heathcote was equally complimentary about his former player.
"He is the greatest ambassador for MSU we've ever had," Heathcote said. "Every time I pass (the statue), I'll be proud to coach the greatest player ever at the guard position and one of the best friends I've ever had."
The statue largely was the result of efforts by MSU men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo and assistant athletics director Mark Hollis. Izzo, who was a graduate assistant for the '79 national championship team, said Johnson's greatest skill was making his teammates better.
"Elite players make other players better," Izzo said. "To be really great, you have to reach out to others and drag them with you."
Since Johnson opted to forego his two remaining years of eligibility to enter the NBA for the 1979-80 season, Johnson never graduated from MSU. He said he does have plans, though, to complete courses necessary to earn a degree.
Following his 12-plus seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Johnson has become a successful entrepreneur and businessman. In addition to his chain of inner-city movie theaters across the nation, the Starbucks Coffee Co. at 401 E. Grand River Ave. is owned by Johnson.
"I hope this statue is about more than basketball," he said. "We've tried to give back, be role models to younger players."
