Dakers, Diane,

Magic Johnson : basketball legend, entrepreneur, and HIV/AIDS activist / Diane Dakers. - 112 pages : color illustrations ; 24 cm. - Crabtree groundbreaker biographies. . - Crabtree groundbreaker biographies. .

Includes index.

"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."--

ISBN: 9780778726104 (soft cover) 077872610X

Subjects--Personal Names:
Johnson, Earvin, 1959-

Subjects--Topical Terms:
African American basketball players--Biography.
Basketball players--United States--Biography.
HIV-positive persons--United States--Biography.
AIDS activists--United States--Biography.