Editing Magic Johnson (section)

== College career ==
Although Johnson was recruited by several top-ranked colleges such as [[Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball|Indiana]] and [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]], he decided to play close to home.<ref>{{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Earvin "Magic" |author2=William Novak |title=My Life |year=1999 |page=45 |publisher=Black Book Company |isbn=1-902799-01-1}}</ref> His college decision came down to [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|Michigan]] and [[Michigan State Spartans men's basketball|Michigan State]] in [[East Lansing]]. He ultimately decided to attend Michigan State when coach [[Jud Heathcote]] told him he could play the [[point guard]] position. The talent already on Michigan State's roster also drew him to the program.<ref>{{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Earvin "Magic" |author2=William Novak |title=My Life |year=1999 |page=48 |publisher=Black Book Company |isbn=1-902799-01-1}}</ref>

Johnson did not initially aspire to play professionally, focusing instead on his [[communication studies]] [[Academic major|major]] and desire to become a television commentator.<ref name="borkstars">{{cite book |last=Bork |first=Günter |title=Die großen Basketball Stars |year=1994 |pages=56–66 |publisher=Copress-Verlag |isbn=3-7679-0369-5}}</ref> Playing with future NBA draftees [[Greg Kelser]], [[Jay Vincent]], and [[Mike Brkovich]], Johnson averaged 17.0&nbsp;points, 7.9&nbsp;rebounds, and 7.4&nbsp;assists per game as a [[freshman]], and led the [[1977–78 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team|Spartans]] to a 25–5&nbsp;record, the [[Big Ten Conference]] title, and a berth in the [[1978 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1978 NCAA tournament]].<ref name="nbafullbio" /> The Spartans reached the [[Elite Eight]], but lost narrowly to eventual national champion [[1977–78 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team|Kentucky]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/ncaa-tournament/history/yearbyyear/1978 |title=1978 Men's NCAA basketball tournament |work=CBS Sports |access-date=May 6, 2008 |archive-date=January 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130150451/http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/ncaa-tournament/history/yearbyyear/1978 |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[1978–79 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1978–79 season]], Michigan State again qualified for the [[1979 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA tournament]], where they advanced to the [[1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Game|championship game]] and faced [[1978–79 Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball team|Indiana State]], which was led by senior [[Larry Bird]]. In what was the most-watched college basketball game ever,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/endofcentury/s/century/katz.html |title=From coast to coast, a magical pair |last=Katz |first=Andy |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522225715/https://www.espn.com/endofcentury/s/century/katz.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Michigan State defeated Indiana State 75–64, and Johnson was voted [[NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player|Most Outstanding Player]] of the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|Final Four]].<ref name="espnshowtime" /> He was selected to the [[1979 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1978–79 All-American team]] for his performance that season.<ref name="consensus">{{cite web |website=Sports-Reference |title=Consensus All-America Teams (1969–70 to 1978–79) |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/all-america-1970-1979.html |access-date=September 17, 2017 |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918065011/https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/all-america-1970-1979.html |url-status=live}}</ref> After two years in college, during which he averaged 17.1&nbsp;points, 7.6&nbsp;rebounds, and 7.9&nbsp;assists per game, Johnson entered the [[1979 NBA draft]].<ref name="stats">{{cite web |website=Basketball-Reference |title=Magic Johnson Statistics |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsma02.html |access-date=September 13, 2007 |archive-date=December 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221174008/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsma02.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Jud Heathcote stepped down as coach of the Spartans after the 1994–95 season, and on June 8, 1995, Johnson returned to the [[Breslin Center]] to play in the Jud Heathcote All-Star Tribute Game. He led all scorers with 39 points.<ref name=honor />