Magee played for Jefferson — when it was known as Philadelphia Textile and later Philadelphia University — and ended his career as the school’s leading scorer with 2,235 points. He averaged 29.1 points one season and was a two-time, small-college All-America selection. The Boston Celtics drafted Magee with the 63rd pick of the 1963 NBA draft. He never played in the NBA. Magee broke two fingers on his left hand that summer, a big blow for a shooter, and he felt he couldn’t crack a Celtics roster that was stocked with future Hall of Famers.
So he went into coaching with the Rams. Basketball? Sure. Magee also took a job as an assistant varsity coach and the junior varsity coach. He also coached the school’s cross country team, golf team, taught physical education, and in his spare time he even ran intramurals.
When basketball coach Bucky Harris called it quits, the job interview for his successor went a little like this:
“Herb, you’re the coach next year,” Magee said, laughing.
He went 21-6 in 1967-68 and the good times never stopped rolling, even as the players — and the university’s name — changed. When Magee needed to pick the next Rams coach, he turned to friend and long-time assistant coach Jimmy Reilly, who’s been a member of Magee’s staff since 2007.
“I’m leaving the basketball in the best possible hands,” Magee said.
Magee also earned a reputation as the “Shot Doctor,” tutoring pros like Charles Barkley, Jameer Nelson and Evan Turner. Even today Magee says he has perfect shooting form. He used to take 500 shots a day and would chart misses to figure out what he did wrong.
The Rams did not play last season because of the pandemic, and the hiatus convinced him he could live a full life with his wife, daughters and grandchildren — and golf — without the daily grind of the game.
So he called it a career, leaving an indelible stamp on the game, Philly hoops and the university he’s always called home.
“I know I’ll miss it,” he said. “I plan on getting down there to see the practices and watch games from afar.”