Former UCI Player Is Killed

Kevin Magee, a two-time All-American basketball player at UC Irvine in the early 1980s, was killed in an auto accident Thursday morning on Interstate 55 near Amite, La., a university spokesman said.

The Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. (now Big West Conference) player of the year in 1980-81 and ‘81-’82, Magee averaged 26.3 points and 12.3 rebounds for the Anteaters. He still holds school records for points, with 46 against Loyola Marymount, and rebounds, with 25 against Long Beach State.

“Kevin was the best basketball player I ever coached,” said Bill Mulligan, former Anteater coach who also coached Magee at Saddleback College, where Magee was the state community college player of the year.

Irvine was 40-17 during Magee’s two seasons but never advanced to the NCAA tournament. Magee was a second-round draft pick by the Phoenix Suns in 1982 but spent the better part of 12 seasons playing in Italy, France, Israel and Spain.

Magee, 44, is survived by his wife, Melanie, and children, Brandy, Jacob and Jeremy.

-- Elliott Teaford