Watch CBS News

Cheeks, Magee Named Hall of Fame Finalists

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (CBS) - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced its 12 finalists to be considered for election in 2011, and the list has a definite Philadelphia feel to it.

Former Philadelphia 76ers standout and head coach Maurice Cheeks and longtime Philadelphia University men's basketball coach Herb Magee have both made the cut down to 12.

Cheeks, currently an assistant for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was drafted by the Sixers in the second round of the 1978 NBA Draft out of West Texas State.  The point guard would spend 11 seasons with the Sixers, making four NBA All-Star teams and being named first-team All-NBA Defensive Team four times.

He was a key member of the 1982-83 Sixers team that won the NBA title.  He also played in the NBA with San Antonio, the Knicks, Atlanta, and New Jersey.

Cheeks would go on to coach after his playing days, and returned to Philadelphia to lead the Sixers for three-plus seasons.   He would go 122-147 as the Sixers' head coach, leading the team to the playoffs following the 2007-2008 season.

Magee has been at Philadelphia University since arriving as a player more than 50 years ago, and he is now in his 44th season as the Rams' head coach.  He has more NCAA men's coaching victories than anyone in history, sitting at 921 heading into Saturday's game with Post University.

Magee passed Bobby Knight for the NCAA record with his 903rd victory last season (a February 23rd, 2010 victory over Goldey-Beacom).

The Hall of Fame's Class of 2011 will be announced on Monday, April 4th.

Reported by Matt Leon, KYW Newsradio 1060.

More CBS Philly Sports

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.