Special appearance is Magic

One of basketball’s most famous players was in Huntington Beach over

the weekend, hawking his new clothing line and offering a message of

hope to Los Angeles youngsters.

“It’s not just good enough to follow your dreams,” Magic Johnson

told a group of students from Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles.

“You need to stick with it and never give it up. Those who accomplish

the most in the world did it because they never stopped trying.”

The event at Sports Chalet on Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach

was part promotional, part inspirational. The former Lakers star was

promoting his new line of clothing, Magic32, while handing out

autographs to faithful fans who purchased a new pair of shoes or

clothing item.

But before he sat down for the two-hour autograph session, he

arranged a special meeting with about three dozen inner city students

who had participated in an entrepreneur program at Crenshaw High.

“The entrepreneur always asks himself, ‘Where is there a need?’ ”

he told the students. “You can have the greatest idea in the world,

but if can’t help anyone, then it can’t help you.”

A legend in the NBA -- five league titles, three Most Valuable

Player awards and a Basketball Hall of Famer -- Johnson made an early

retirement from the game in 1991 after being diagnosed with HIV, the

virus that causes AIDS. Since then, he has brought that same

competitive drive and winning attitude to the world of business,

investing in urban centers nationwide through his Johnson Development

Corp.

His business portfolio is now estimated at $700 million, including

more than 50 Starbucks stores, 12-screen Loews Magic Johnson

Theaters, two TGI Friday’s restaurants, five Magic Johnson 24-Hour

Fitness centers and an image-association deal with Washington Mutual

Bank. He is also a basketball analyst on TNT’s show “Inside the NBA,”

where he sports his new clothing line.

“I think it was pretty cool that he took time out of his day to

talk to us,” student Takierra Davis said. “He’s really famous, but

he’s also really nice.”

Crenshaw High teacher Maylard Brown said some of the students were

star-struck at first to meet the former basketball superstar, but

after getting over their shyness, many came up with good questions to

ask the businessman.

“I liked that he talked a lot about the inspiration and

empowerment and what it takes to achieve,” Brown said.

Many of the Crenshaw entrepreneurial students were participants in

the Junior Achievement Academy, working in public-private partnership

to learn the ins and outs of small business management. One of the

group’s educational endeavors was a small-copy shop business with the

Los Angeles Unified School District. The shop reprinted more than

10,000 textbooks a year.

“I was most impressed by his message of having and winning

mentality and remembering to never quit,” Brown said.

While Johnson talked with the students, hundreds of people lined

up around Sports Chalet, holding basketballs, color photos and

jerseys for the superstar to sign. When Magic finally sat down for

the signing, fans were brought in three at a time and given some

brief moments to meet Johnson.

Roommates Chris Arsaga and Alex Sawchak were first in line to meet

Johnson -- they had been waiting for 5 1/2 hours.

“I’ve probably met him 10 times, and it’s always a pleasure,” said

the 26-year-old Arsaga, holding an autographed picture that featured

Johnson, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

“He just embodies basketball, and he represents an era in sports I

really miss,” Sawchak said. “For all of us who grew up watching him,

he’ll always be ‘Showtime.’ ”