Magic Johnson claimed that he invented a popular gesture that is acknowledged globally – the high five! Johnson claimed that he was the first one to have introduced this gesture. Surprised? The NBA legend shared the entire story with fans and listeners. During his appearance in the latest episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the 5x NBA champion was asked about this invention. 

To fans’ surprise, he agreed and shared that he and his former Michigan State Spartans teammate Greg Kelser were the first to high-five. He also shared what inspired this gesture. Johnson was famous for signature no-look pass. And the same thing happened back then. In one of their games, the 3x NBA Finals MVP did a no-look pass and his teammate successfully caught it and dunked. During the victorious moment, the two rushed towards each other and raised their hands to high five. 

“At Michigan State, myself and Greg Kelser,” Magic Johnson said on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “He went in, and I did an unbelievable no-look pass. He caught it, and he dunked it. So, for us to point at each other first, and then he came running real fast. And just – I threw my hand up. He came, high-fived me. And then we started doing that all the time,” Johnson explained.

When asked about the name of the gesture, Johnson laughed and said, “No. You know, brothers, we don’t think that fast like that, you know. We just hit it real quick and keep it rolling.”

Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke gave a new name to the popular hand gesture

The gesture became highly trendy in 1977 when former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Glenn Burke threw his hands up while running towards his teammate Dusty Baker, who had just rounded the bases after a home run. So, what was Baker’s response?

“His hand was up in the air, and he was arching way back. So, I reached up and hit his hand. It seemed like the thing to do,” Baker told ESPN. This is how the high-five became popular among people, leading many to believe that this was when it was invented. 

This was a very common gesture and probably has been done by numerous for many years. So, the Los Angeles Lakers legend and his teammates might not be the first ones to do it. While the two discovered it first, the name and significance were given by the baseball duo. This high-five is an emotion that celebrates the partnership mentioned by the former players above. Whether called ‘Up-top’ or ‘High-Five,’ this gesture goes by different names now, but the feeling remains the same.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.