Photo Credit:IMAGN
Lakers legends Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shared a heartwarming moment at a college basketball game on Tuesday, February 4. The two former teammates ran into each other while attending the UCLA vs. Michigan State matchup, reminding fans of their enduring friendship.
In a video shared by the Big Ten Network, Johnson, 65, is seen making his way through a small crowd toward Abdul-Jabbar, 77, who played for UCLA during his college years. The retired center quickly set his belongings down and stood up to greet Johnson, creating a memorable reunion.
Although their conversation was inaudible, Abdul-Jabbar appeared to joke about Johnson's Michigan State attire, looking at his own letterman jacket before glancing back at Johnson’s green hoodie. Whatever was said resulted in a hearty laugh from Johnson, audible over the background noise of the gym.
After the video surfaced online, Johnson reshared the post with a heartfelt tribute to his former teammate. "I love my captain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Without question, he's the GOAT of college basketball – and it's not even close! @kaj33," he wrote on X.
Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar were dominant forces for the Lakers in the 1980s, winning five championships together. Their contributions to the game earned them recognition in 2021 when they were honored as part of the NBA’s 75th-anniversary celebration. The selection panel, consisting of current and former players, coaches, general managers, executives, WNBA legends, and sports journalists, chose the 75 greatest players of all time.
The list featured players with a combined 158 NBA championships, 730 All-Star selections, and 110 MVP and Finals MVP awards, alongside over 1.5 million points scored.
That same year, Hulu announced a docuseries highlighting the Lakers' storied history, featuring Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and other Hall of Famers. Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers premiered in August 2022 as a 10-part series.
Jeanie Buss, Lakers president and controlling owner, expressed hope that fans would enjoy the documentary. She emphasized that while it celebrated the team’s success, it also explored the family dynamics behind the franchise. Her late father, Jerry Buss, transformed the Lakers from a struggling organization into one of the most successful teams in NBA history.
