15. Magic Johnson
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Earvin “Magic” Johnson only played two seasons at Michigan State, setting the stage for other college stars who would vacate their respective campuses early for the money and the glory of the NBA. Johnson’s sophomore season is the stuff of legends as he lead the Michigan State Spartans–a team not previously associated with college basketball success whatsoever–to victory in a NCAA Finals game in 1979 against Larry Bird’s Indiana State Sycamores.
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(For more on Bird, keep scrolling this list). That game is more memorable for the “Magic vs Bird” showdown than it was for being a quality game, as Johnson–aided by the very talented forward Greg Kelser—and the Spartans went on to a 75-64 game that was never in very much doubt.
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