KNOXVILLE, Tenn — NBA legend Earvin Magic Johnson posted a picture with Tennessee men's basketball head coach Rick Barnes on Wednesday.
The two met after the Vols' exhibition game in East Lansing, MI where UT beat preseason No. 4 Michigan State 89-88. Johnson, a graduate of Michigan State, happened to be at the airport at the same time the team was after the exhibition.
"It was really a great pleasure to meet future Hall of Famer and Tennessee Men’s Basketball Coach Rick Barnes at the airport in Lansing," Johnson wrote in his post on X.
A couple of Vols were asked about seeing Johnson after their exhibition on Tuesday night against Lenoir-Rhyne.
"It was fire," Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella said. "It was super sick. Best point guard to ever play the game, I had to snag a flick as soon as I saw him."
Fellow forward Tobe Awaka was taken aback.
"Personally I was starstruck," he said. "I couldn't believe it. It was really cool seeing him in person."
Johnson was a 5-time NBA Champion, 3-time NBA Finals MVP, 3-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a 13-time NBA All-Star. He won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA.
