"Talent is never enough. With few exceptions the best players are the hardest workers."
~ Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. has "magic" in his name for a reason. He is considered the best point guard of all time, and was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.
But where height is concerned, for some reason, Magic Johnson is considered to be a 6-feet-9 inches giant. Perhaps this stemmed from Magic's own claim about his height or perhaps it started with a botched NBA height measurement, whatever the reason -- Magic Johnson is definitely not that tall.
Magic giant-sized to be sure -- a big bull of a man who can make lesser people step out of the way just with an angry look (though it is nearly impossible to catch an angry look on this genial fellow).
After looking at the photos of a young Magic Johnson with legit 6-feet-9 inches tall Larry Bird, anyone can understand why Magic is definitely shorter than his official height listings.
He looked more than an inch shorter than Larry in any of those photos -- even up to 2 inches in some (beyond 2 as well -- but we think that was just perspective).
Then there are photos of Magic Johnson with 6-feet-5 inches tall guys like Kobe Bryant, Charles Barkley, and Michael Jordan. Magic never manages to look even 3 inches taller with any of them (even a younger Magic). So how can be Magic 6-feet-9 inches tall?
From what we have seen of him, we think Magic Johnson would be lucky to touch the 6'8" mark -- never mind the official NBA listing.
Though even we have to admit that Magic is holding his height remarkably well for being so big -- even in his sixties. Most people so big and bulky start to lose height well before him.
Magic Johnson's height twin would be people like LeBron James and Tyson Fury -- both almost 6-feet-8 inches tall but not quite so.
The real height of Magic Johnson is
6'7½" or 202
 |
| Magic Johnson and Larry Bird |
 |
| Magic Johnson with a 6'9" Larry Bird (Magic was never 6'9", we peg his height around 6'7½") |
For reference, here is the average human height around the world.
| Country | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 5'4" | 4'11" |
| India | 5'5½" | 5'½" |
| Mexico | 5'6½" | 5'1½" |
| China | 5'6½" | 5'1½" |
| Japan | 5'7½" | 5'2½" |
| Brazil | 5'8" | 5'3" |
| Russia | 5'9" | 5'3¾" |
| United States | 5'9¼" | 5'4" |
| United Kingdom | 5'9½" | 5'4¼" |
| Canada | 5'10" | 5'4½" |
| Australia | 5'10" | 5'4½" |
| Germany | 5'10½" | 5'5" |
| Sweden | 5'11" | 5'5½" |
| Netherlands | 5'11½" | 5'6" |
Data was collected from official sources wherever possible. A more detailed chart can be found here.
"I'm a big believer in dreaming. If you don't dream it, you can't become it."
~ Magic Johnson