Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Lionel Messi will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony on Saturday at the White House.
President Joe Biden will bestow the honor to 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science.
The White House said the recipients have made "exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors."
Often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time, Johnson was a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV.