Magic Johnson's brother was also a talented basketball player, but his path was ruined by drugs: 'I am the real-life prodigal son'

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson wasn't supposed to be the only NBA player in their family. Magic has an elder brother named Larry, who, as a kid, shared Magic's dream of becoming a basketball player one day.

According to Larry, their father, Earvin Sr., encouraged them to pursue a career in basketball. They were on that path until they were bussed over, one after the other, to the predominantly white Everett High School instead of the basketball-rich Sexton High School.

"The difference between my brother and I was that although there were areas of frustration for him as well, he refused to allow anything to distract him from his goals. Whereas I, on the other hand, was easily distracted by the opportunity to make money selling drugs in the community," admitted Larry.

Larry lost track of the dream because of drugs

He was a couple of years older than "Buck", so he went to Everett first. After making the freshman team, he began having issues with his white teammates and was later removed from the squad because his game was too fancy. Instead of fighting for his dream, Larry ended up abandoning it.

Magic followed at Everett and experienced what Larry did. However, he took everything as a challenge and ended up successful. Larry, meanwhile, went in and out of jail, overdosed twice, and nearly died. It wasn't until he turned to his faith that he turned his life around.

"I am the real-life prodigal son," added Larry. "It wasn't until I returned home to my father that I actually found peace, rest, and rehabilitation that was permanent and no longer just a temporal fix. Addiction controls people's lives, and I've been through 12 treatments and eight jail stints before realizing I needed God and professional help."

Magic did give up on Larry

Aside from religion, he made it back because of Magic. Throughout his struggles, "Buck" was always there by Larry's side and never abandoned him even when there were more than enough reasons to.

"Through all that I went through, Earvin never gave up on me," continued elder Johnson. "I worked at General Motors, like my dad did, off and on for years. I was a shop rat, putting on mirrors, windshields, door handles, you name it. Doing inspections. After I retired from GM, Earvin hired me to come out to Los Angeles and do sales for one of his businesses, a food service company called Sodexo Magic."

Like the biblical prodigal son, Larry is now home. In 1992, he co-founded the Lansing-based 'Brotherhood Against Drugs' which offers rehabilitation programs and other activities to combat drug and alcohol addiction. Three decades later, he continues to be a motivational speaker and mentor to those whose struggles he once experienced.