Magic Johnson says why he once ditched his millionaire teammates to talk to a 'super super billionaire'

Magic Johnson has an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion.

Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Magic Johnson shared the tips he'd give anyone trying to build a business career.

His advice: Lose the ego, spot gaps in the market, and learn from people who are smarter or more experienced.

"Why would I want to be over here with the millionaires when I can be over there with the super super billionaire?" he said.

Magic Johnson knows a thing or two about making the leap from sports to business.

Speaking to Anthony Anderson, who guest-hosted " Jimmy Kimmel Live " on Tuesday, the former NBA player shared the advice he'd give others looking to break into the business world.

"The first thing, take your ego out of it and know that you don't know it," Johnson, whose real name is Earvin Johnson, said.

Johnson said aspiring entrepreneurs should learn however they can, whether through books, conversations, or spending time with people who have already built successful businesses.

"I called so many people and met with them for lunch and dinner to pick their brains about what made them successful, and what did I have to do to be successful," Johnson said.

He also said people should look around for gaps that could become business opportunities.

"I used to walk around the community and say, 'What's missing?' Oh, we didn't have theaters, so let me build movie theaters.

Oh, we didn't have a Starbucks.

Let me put a Starbucks there," he said.

Johnson also credited Howard Schultz , the former CEO of Starbucks, with giving him the opportunity to open 125 new locations.