Cliff Hagan, who helped the St. Louis Hawks claim the 1958 NBA championship, has died at the age of 94, the NBA announced on Friday. Hagan’s contributions during that postseason were notable, as he averaged 27.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, pushing the Hawks to a 4-2 series victory over the Boston Celtics.
The NBA’s official statement on social media paid tribute to Hagan’s decade-long career entirely spent with the Hawks, noting his five consecutive All-Star selections from 1958 to 1962 and his impact on the Hawks’ lone title while in St. Louis. “The NBA is deeply saddened by the passing of Naismith Hall of Famer Cliff Hagan,” the league wrote. “He also won an NCAA championship at Kentucky and later served as a player-coach in the ABA.”
Before turning professional, Hagan was a standout at the University of Kentucky. He was a two-time All-American who helped the Wildcats secure the NCAA championship in 1951. His transition to the NBA saw him become a cornerstone of the Hawks’ lineup, developing a signature hook shot that the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame highlighted when it paid tribute to him on Friday. The Hall of Fame said it was “proud to preserve his legacy” and recalled Hagan as a six-time NBA All-Star whose skill set contributed significantly to the Hawks’ success.
Hagan’s 1958 championship victory carried added weight given the circumstances of his NBA draft. Initially selected by the Boston Celtics, he was traded immediately to St. Louis in exchange for the draft rights to Bill Russell. Two years later, Hagan and the Hawks defeated the Celtics, making them the only team to beat Boston in the NBA Finals during the Russell-Auerbach era. The Hawks’ triumph disrupted what would become a dominant Celtics dynasty.
The Hawks’ official account, now representing the team in Atlanta, expressed condolences on Twitter, acknowledging Hagan’s entire NBA tenure with St. Louis and his status as a 1958 NBA champion and Hall of Famer.
Hagan’s career extended beyond the NBA when he took on the role of player-coach with the Dallas Chaparrals in the ABA. His impact on basketball remained significant both on and off the court, with the Hall of Fame enshrining him in 1978.
His passing comes shortly after the death of Bob Pettit, his teammate on the 1958 Hawks championship team, who died last month at 93. Together, they formed the core of a team that disrupted the Celtics’ dominance and left a lasting mark on NBA history.
According to Yahoo Sports.
