D.J. Magley heard the awful news on a cell phone call while traveling to a high school basketball game in Naples, Fla.

Magley, who will be a freshman this fall at Western Kentucky, had hoped his senior year would include plenty of highlights with fellow Bradenton Christian senior Kevin Yoder. The two were a perfect complement to each other Ð Yoder was the savvy point guard and Magley played the role of imposing 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward.

The two even dubbed themselves ÒStockton and MaloneÓ in reference to the former Utah Jazz duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone.

But only a few games into the season, Magley lost his point guard for the season because of a knee injury.

Magley found out about the diagnosis while in a van headed to a game at Seacrest Country Day High School. And Magley took out his frustrations on a Seacrest Country Day backboard.

ÒWhen we got the call, we were all pretty angry,Ó Magley said. ÒAnd in the first two minutes, I got the ball and did a drop step move and jumped up. I didnÕt hang on the rim, but when my hands were on the rim, I felt it go down a little bit and I heard it (make a crackling sound). ThatÕs when I let it go and thought Ôoh man.Õ Ó

When Magley came down, so did shards of glass Ð he shattered the Seacrest Country Day backboard.

The Magley moment has found its way to the Internet on sites such as YouTube.

MagleyÕs dunk resulted in one mess of a situation. A doctor in the stands checked MagleyÕs eyes for glass. And since the court was one hoop short, the teams had to drive 30 minutes to find an available gym to finish the game.

ÒAt first, it was Ôoh man, I broke their backboard,Õ Ó Magley said with remorse.

ÒBut then I thought Ôoh man, I broke their backboard,Õ Ó Magley added with sheepish grin. ÒI didnÕt want to be boastful, so I just said, Ôsorry.Õ Ó

A player with backboard-shattering strength is what the Hilltoppers lacked last year and why Magley can be a perfect fit for the Hilltoppers entering his freshman season this fall.

Western was often outmuscled inside against opposing Sun Belt Conference teams last season as the Hilltoppers fell short in their hopes of winning a conference championship.

With Magley, that void might be eliminated.

ÒWe hope because he is filling a need for us that he impacts right away,Ó Western Kentucky coach Darrin Horn said. ÒItÕs a size and strength issue we needed addressed and he definitely does that.Ó

But Horn is careful not to point to Magley as the solution to WesternÕs inside issue next year.

ÒI know on our end we wonÕt, but in general we have to be careful in thinking that heÕs the answer, because I donÕt think thatÕs fair to bestow on any young person,Ó Horn said. ÒWill he help? Absolutely. Do we hope he does that? No question. Is he capable? Yeah.Ó

Magley has also heard some talk of being savior and tries to swat it away like an opposing point guardÕs layup attempt.

ÒIÕve heard a couple people say that D.J. should help us,Ó Magley said. ÒI try and not to listen to that too much. I never think IÕm going to play 1,000 minutes a game or do this and do all that stuff. ThereÕs a big difference between high school and college.Ó

Magley finished his senior year averaging 24 points, 14 rebounds and six assists during his senior season as he needed to become a bigger scorer while his point guard was hurt.

MagleyÕs most defining personal moment is his dunk, but thatÕs not the part of his game he or Horn talk about most.

MagleyÕs six assists a night he averaged in high school would have made him WesternÕs assist leader last year.

Magley said his passion for passing began developing as a seventh grader. His father, former Kansas University standout Dave Magley, was the head coach at Bradenton Christian and held open gym.

D.J. Magley participated in the open gym against older players and quickly realized what he had to do to touch the basketball.

Ò(As somebody younger), if I wanted the ball back ever, I would have to pass the ball to someone,Ó Magley said. ÒThatÕs what I did. They knew if they passed to me, theyÕd get it back. Now, I enjoy passing. I donÕt know if itÕs a pride thing, but I think it makes the game more interesting for people watching.

ÒI think it gets everybody in the game, not just one person dribbling up and dunking the ball all the time. Dunks are nice, but thatÕs going to get old after awhile, unless itÕs somebody doing crazy dunks each time.Ó

When Horn described MagleyÕs game, he used the phrase Òold school.Ó

ÒOur fans are going to love him,Ó Horn said. ÒHe is as skilled a big man as far as passing, catching and knowing the game coming out of high school for his size as youÕll find.

ÒHe can do things like (break backboards), but I donÕt think thatÕs what is going to be impressive. I think itÕs going to be his attitude and the pass that he made and the little things Ð not the flash stuff.Ó