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Wednesday, 24 April, 2002, 19:00 GMT 20:00 UK
Hall beckons for Magic
Earvin Johnson
Earvin 'Magic' Johnson is a Lakers legend
Earvin 'Magic' Johnson is among 14 players and coaches and one team nominated for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships was nominated in his first year of eligibility.

There are few doubts that will be inducted at the first time of asking.

So much so that, in a break with tradition, the Hall of Fame is announcing its inductees in June in Los Angeles, where Johnson spent his entire 13-year pro career.

Johnson left the NBA after the 1990-91 season following a stunning announcement that he had HIV.

He returned to basketball to help the United States win Olympic gold in 1992 and returned to the NBA in the 1994-95 season, surpassing the 10,000 career-assists mark.

Brightest star

Johnson hoped to enter the Hall of Fame with Bird, who was inducted in 1998.

He even asked the Hall to waive its rule requiring players be retired five years before induction.

A successful businessman, he is also vice-president of the Lakers.

Pau Gasol in action for Memphis.
Gasol lit up a poor season for Memphis
With Johnson's status an an NBA great assured, this year's brightest star in the making has been announced as Pau Gasol.

The Memphis Grizzlies forward has won the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award as as a near unanimous pick.

Gasol, a native of Spain, is the first European to win top rookie honours.

He received 117 of a possible 126 votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters.

Gasol led the Grizzlies in scoring and all rookies with 17.6 points a game. He also averaged 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.1 blocks and 36.7 minutes.

He played in all 82 games for Memphis, starting in 79.

The team struggled to a 23-59 record in its first season since moving to Tennessee from Vancouver.

See also:

07 Nov 01 |  US Sport
The Magic show rolls on
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