- May 21, 2026
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Hall of Fame forward Cliff Hagan has died at age 94. The University of Kentucky, where Hagan starred and later served as athletics director, announced his death on Friday.
Hagan spent his entire 10-year NBA career with the St. Louis Hawks, averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 rebounds. The Kentucky native was a five-time All-Star and helped lead the Wildcats to the 1951 NCAA title with an 86-5 record during his tenure. His 51-point single-game scoring record stood until 1970.
Drafted by Boston in 1953, Hagan never played for the Celtics. After military service, he was traded to St. Louis in April 1956 in the deal that sent Bill Russell to Boston. Hagan got his revenge in 1958, leading the Hawks past Russell's Celtics for the NBA championship while averaging a league-best 27.7 postseason points.
Hagan later became the first player named an All-Star in both the NBA and ABA as player-coach of the Dallas Chaparrals. In 1978, he became the first Kentucky player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Mickey's Angle: Hagan's legacy reminds us that greatness isn't always about being the biggest name—sometimes it's about being on the right side of history when it matters most.
Source: ESPN (also reported by Yahoo Sports) - written by Mickey the Mouth from the original report.