The stakes have risen after the dramatic finish to March Madness last month. Now, the hoops community’s attention leaned toward the much-awaited 2023 WNBA draft. The Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who invested in the $2 Billion WNBA franchise earlier to save it, welcomed the future stars of his team. The legend took to his Twitter and penned down a detailed description of each player picked in the draft.
Johnson invested $50 Million in the WNBA team, Los Angeles Sparks, alongside its controlling owner, Mark R. Walter, in 2014. The Lakers legend and Walter literally saved the franchise from its dissolution after the previous owners gave up. Johnson expressed his relief after saving the team in an interview. He said, “If we don’t come in and make a deal, I think it was gone. We wanted to keep the team in L.A. I’m glad we were able to save it.” Notably, the 3x WNBA Champion team finished last in the Western Conference. The new draft picks
Magic Johnson welcomes future stars
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After the 2023 WNBA draft, Magic Johnson didn’t waste any minutes to announce the fans of the promising picks. Firstly, he welcomed South Carolina’s Zia Cooke and expressed his excitement for her talent. He wrote, “I’m excited that we are bringing a winner, dynamic guard that plays both ends of the court, and a player with a high basketball IQ to the @LASparks.” He further tweeted about Iowa’s Shaneice Swain and Monika Czinano.
I’m excited that we are bringing a winner, dynamic guard that plays both ends of the court, and a player with a high basketball IQ to the @LASparks, South Carolina’s Zia Cooke! Welcome to LA @zia_cooke!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 11, 2023
Welcome to the @LASparks Shaneice Swain!!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 11, 2023
I enjoyed following Monika’s career in the Big Ten. A great post threat, she has the ability to score down low and has a high basketball IQ! Welcome to LA Monika Czinano! @MCzinano @LASparks
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 11, 2023
The legend has proven his interest in women’s basketball on several occasions. For instance, he regularly commented on the proceedings of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Moreover, he sang praise for the upcoming star, Caitlin Clark, and drew parallels with Michael Jordan and Larry Bird.
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The team would look to turn things around this season after a poor 13-23 finish in the last season.
How did Magic end up investing in Sparks?
The Lakers legend has been indirectly involved in the franchise since its birth. Moreover, he witnessed his three sisters play for the team, including his daughter. In 2007, the previous owner, Paula Madison, informed the league that she could no longer afford to run the team and in December 2014, she laid off the staffs. Meanwhile, Johnson, alongside Walter, stepped in to save the team.
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What do you make of Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson’s investment in the WNBA franchise? Let us know in the comments below.