Former NBA star Earvin "Magic" Johnson is making the rounds in Bridgeport Thursday to promote redevelopment plans at the old Pequonnock Apartments site.

The former MVP and NBA champion met with local high school basketball players Thursday afternoon at the City Hall Annex to emphasize the importance of good education.

??It's important that you understand that whether you make it or not in the NBA or the WNBA, you can always fall back on your education. And it will provide a tool for you to be successful in life,? Johnson told the students.

Johnson's redevelopment company, Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds, is developing the Pequonnock location into a $222 million site for housing, retail and office space.

"He really wanted to work in depressed areas, and this is what impresses me," says Bridgeport Mayor John Fabrizi. "In depressed areas, for the people in that community to make it a better place to live, work and raise your family."

Johnson has a history of working to develop more economically depressed areas. He owns 113 Starbucks and 32 Burger King restaurants in inner-city areas.