Magic Johnson
Subtitle: basketball legend, entrepreneur, and HIV/AIDS activist
By: Diane Dakers
Series: Crabtree groundbreaker biographies; Crabtree groundbreaker biographies
Publisher: Crabtree Publishing
Published: 2016
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 112
ISBN-13: 9781427181022; 9780778726081
Copyright date: 2017
Subjects: Juvenile literature; Basketball players; Biography; African American basketball players; Businessmen; African American businesspeople; JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / Sports & Recreation; JUVENILE NONFICTION / Sports & Recreation / General
Description: "Throughout his life, basketball superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson has met both challenges and opportunities with perseverance and leadership. Dubbed "Magic," Johnson blazed a spectacular career in basketball. His play with the Los Angeles Lakers as point guard alongside center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as well as his epic rivalry with the Boston Celtics' forward Larry Bird, marked a legendary era in the NBA. In 1991, Magic announced he had tested positive for HIV, a virus that can lead to the life-threatening disease AIDS, and was retiring from basketball. Little was known then about HIV/AIDS and its prevention. His declaration shocked the public but succeeded in putting a familiar and much-admired face on a disease that was shrouded in fear and prejudice. Magic Johnson's legacy includes his inspirational work as an advocate for the prevention of HIV and the still-incurable disease AIDS through his own foundation, which provides programs for HIV/AIDS education and prevention, including testing and safe sex practices."--
Notes: Includes index.