Magic Says He’ll Play in Atlanta : Basketball: Former Laker offers his services to the U.S. team that will play in 1996 Olympics.

Are you ready for . . . . Magic ‘96?

Magic Johnson has volunteered to play for the U.S. team in the 1996 Olympics. “The only requirement is American citizenship,” said Johnson’s agent, Lon Rosen on Tuesday, “and he’s an American citizen.”

Johnson will be 36 by the Atlanta Games. However, he has been barnstorming with his own team since retiring from the NBA at 32 and doesn’t appear to have lost his game.

“I saw him play last summer against our summer-league team,” said Laker Coach Del Harris, “and at that time, I thought he was still probably one of the five best players in the world.

“And he’s in a little better shape right now, from having played ball all winter.”

Insiders expect USA Basketball, the Colorado Springs-based office that runs the team--and the NBA, which influences all decisions--to take a close look at Johnson.

USA Basketball has just named a 11-man panel to pick the coach and players for 1996--chaired by Rod Thorn, the NBA’s vice president of operations. On the panel is Laker Vice President Jerry West plus six other NBA administrators: Hawk General Manager Pete Babock, Nugget President-Coach Bernie Bickerstaff, Cavalier President Wayne Embry, Celtic Vice Chairman Dave Gavitt, Buck Vice President Lee Rose and Trail Blazer President Bob Whitsitt.

Johnson was out of town Tuesday for a speaking engagement but Rosen made the announcement, saying he had called USA Basketball Tuesday morning on Johnson’s behalf.

“He very much wants to play in the ’96 Olympics in Atlanta,” Rosen said. “That’s his wish.

“He can still play competitive basketball. He’s been touring the world all year long. His team’s 45-0. He plays every minute of every game.”

Johnson retired from professional basketball in 1991, announcing he had tested positive for HIV. However, he has not developed AIDS and continues to enjoy a vigorous lifestyle, pursuing his varied interests.

In the winter of 1992, he played in the NBA All-Star Game. That summer, he played on the Dream Team that won the gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics.

However, he has never gotten too far from his next basketball game. Asked by a radio reporter recently if he’d consider a return to the NBA, he said he’d come back if the Lakers requested it but quickly recanted when the usual hubbub ensued.

Johnson was the hit of the ’92 Olympics, mobbed everywhere he went by fans and competitors alike as the Dream Team swept through all opposition.

However, the experience of what was initially billed as Dream Team II, the team of young NBA stars that competed in the 1994 World Championships in Toronto, was different--and may strengthen Johnson’s candidacy.

The U.S. players in Toronto could never grasp the public relations aspect of their mission. They showed up opponents at every turn, ignoring Coach Don Nelson, who pleaded he was helpless to control them.