Eighteen-year-old budding basketball star and already got Magic Johnson’s attention? The 6’5″ guard from the class of 2025 — Mazi Mosley — had been making waves for quite some time now. With his impressive performance at the UA Next Elite 24 practices in Brooklyn, he made it clear that his mix of creativity, athleticism, and two-way skills made him a long-term prospect to watch. And now, he’s about to take his talents to the next level with the LSU Tigers.

Extending his best wishes on the same in a recent post on X was the LA Lakers legend himself. “Congratulations, Mazi! I’m so proud of you and can’t wait to cheer you on next season at LSU! Follow Mazi along on his journey,” Johnson wrote on X. But the post has made some fans wonder how exactly is the 5x NBA champ connected to the budding basketball star.

Mazi Mosley’s Magic Johnson connection and more

Mazi Mosely is the nephew of Magic Johnson. As for the X post by the 5x NBA champ, Mosley announced on Monday that he has committed to Matt McMahon and LSU. So, what makes the 18-year-old so special on the court?

Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 165 pounds, Mazi might still be filling out his frame. But don’t let that fool you—this kid can play. A 4-star shooting guard out of Montverde Academy in Florida, he had offers from some pretty big names in college basketball. This included Iowa, Michigan, Arizona State, and USC.

But in the end, he chose the LSU Tigers—a decision that’s already got some fans excited for the 2025 season. If you’re curious about his game, the 6’5″ player is known for his incredible ability to score. Especially in catch-and-shoot situations. While he averaged 12 points per game at Montverde last season, it’s clear he’s just getting started.

The 18-year-old also made it to the 2024 Top 100 camp, where players like Kiyan Anthony also displayed their potential. Now, although Mosley did not have an exceptional run at the camp, with 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, he was decently impressive.

Apart from this, he also made an appearance at UAA Session III, averaging 12.2 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game. However, the best of the budding basketball star came during his appearance in Mission League.

As per an article by Sports Illustrated in January this year, the 6’5″ player secured a spot among the top 5 scorers in the league with 22.5 points per game. No wonder that Johnson constantly pushes and roots for his nephew’s budding basketball career.

Mosley’s high work ethic and constant support from Uncle Magic Johnson

Imagine having one of the greatest basketball players of all time cheering you on—that’s Mazi Mosley’s reality. In March this year, Magic Johnson took to X and gave a shout-out to his nephew’s accomplishment of making the Mission League First Team. However, Johnson’s post wasn’t just about basketball; he was quick to highlight Mazi’s character off the court.

“Mazi is just as good off the court as he’s an honor student, too!! I am so proud of you and am happy your hard work is being recognized by schools all over the country! Keep it up,” Johnson wrote on X. But here’s what makes Mazi’s story even more compelling—he wasn’t always set on basketball. Can you believe that? In an interview with League Ham, the 18-year-old admitted something similar.

“I didn’t have aspirations to play basketball at all at the start” — yes, that’s right! basketball wasn’t even part of the plan for Mazi. He only started taking it seriously two years ago, during his sophomore year. So, what flipped the switch? Mosley recalled a moment back in middle school at Core Prep Academy. Ever been told you couldn’t do something? Well, that’s what happened to him. “Some kids told me I should stick to baseball or football,” he shared.

Instead of letting that get him down, he took it as fuel. It became the spark that ignited his passion for basketball. Suddenly, he wasn’t just playing; he was working. He let go of the other sports and doubled down on basketball, as stated by him in the League Ham interview. If you’re wondering how he showed such growth in the past year? The 18-year-old’s answer is simple—hard work, discipline and work ethic.

“I feel like I’ve done a good job of staying disciplined, meaning not going out as much. Or not going out at all sometimes. I’ve been spending more time on my craft,” he said. Now, with the LSU Tigers looking ahead to a challenging season, one thing’s for sure—Mazi’s drive, combined with the unwavering support of his uncle Magic Johnson, will keep him on the rise.

Stay tuned for more updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.