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Magic Johnson To Visit SW Michigan Economic Club For Speech

BENTON TWP. (WWJ/AP) - Hall-of-Fame basketball player turned businessman Earvin "Magic" Johnson plans to visit southwestern Michigan for a speech later this month.

The former NBA star and Lansing native is scheduled to appear March 20 at Mendel Center for Arts and Technology at Lake Michigan College in Berrien County's Benton Township. The Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan is opening its spring season with the speech.

Raised in Lansing, Johnson earned his famous nickname, "Magic," after a sportswriter witnessed the Everett High School basketball player score 36 points, grab 16 rebounds and make 16 assists in one game. The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Johnson in 1979. He retired from pro-basketball in 1991 and played on the gold medal winning "American Dream Team" in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games.

Now, he visits his home state to discuss what it takes to meet life's challenges both on and off the basketball court.

Johnson's speech will start around 7:30 p.m.

TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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