NBA Hall of Famer Cliff Hagan, a legend who snatched an NBA championship from the mighty Bill Russell-era Boston Celtics, passed away Friday at 94. The league confirmed the news, remembering Hagan as a five-time All-Star who spent his entire 10-year NBA career with the St. Louis Hawks.
A True Champion and St. Louis Legend
Hagan was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame back in 1978, almost five decades ago, and his impact on the game was undeniable. This small forward wasn’t just good, he was consistently brilliant, earning five straight NBA All-Star nods from 1958 to 1962. Before he was lighting up the pro league, Hagan was a force in college, leading the Kentucky Wildcats to an NCAA championship in 1951 as a two-time All-American. He rounded out his playing days as a player-coach for the ABA’s Dallas Chaparrals, but his legacy was firmly cemented in St. Louis. Both the NBA and the Naismith Hall of Fame, along with the now-Atlanta Hawks, issued heartfelt tributes, praising his “trademark hook shot” and his key role in the Hawks’ historic 1958 title.
The Ultimate Celtics Showdown
Talk about poetic justice! One of the absolute peaks of Hagan’s career has to be that 1958 championship run. The Hawks, with Hagan playing a key role, didn’t just win; they broke up the Boston Celtics’ dynasty with a 4-2 series win to take home the trophy. And here’s the kicker: Hagan was originally drafted by the Celtics, only to be immediately traded to St. Louis in exchange for the draft rights to none other than Bill Russell. Just two years later, Hagan and the Hawks pulled off that unlikely victory, making them the *only* team to ever beat Boston in the NBA Finals with Russell on the court. Hagan didn’t just show up for the postseason either; he upped his game big time, averaging a double-double throughout those playoffs with an insane 27.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He got his revenge, and it was glorious.
What a legend. Cliff Hagan didn’t just play the game; he owned those big moments, especially against the team that passed on him. He’ll always be remembered as a true champion, a five-time All-Star, and the guy who proved that even the biggest dynasties can be toppled. Rest easy, champ.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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