Cliff Hagan, a Basketball Hall of Famer who won titles at the University of Kentucky and with the St. Louis Hawks, died Thursday at age 94.
Hagan was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1953 but never played for them. He served in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1956, and that year the Celtics traded his rights, along with those of fellow Hall of Famer Ed Macauley, to the Hawks in exchange for the No. 2 pick in the 1956 NBA Draft — a pick Boston used to select Bill Russell.
The trade became one of the most consequential in NBA history, but Hagan built a Hall of Fame career of his own in St. Louis. Over 10 seasons, all with the Hawks, he made five All-Star teams and two All-NBA selections, averaging 17.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists across 839 games. In 1958, Hagan and the Hawks beat the Celtics for the NBA championship. That same year, he scored 26 points in a single fourth quarter against the New York Knicks. He retired for good after the 1969-70 season.
Before turning pro, Hagan starred at Kentucky under coach Adolph Rupp, earning consensus All-American honors twice. He helped the Wildcats win the 1951 national championship and went undefeated at 25-0 in 1953-54. That perfect season ended without an NCAA Tournament trip — eligibility rules at the time barred Hagan and two other graduated teammates from competing. Over his three varsity seasons, Kentucky went 86-5.
Hagan returned to his alma mater in 1975 as athletic director, a post he held until 1988. During his tenure, the Wildcats won the 1978 national championship behind Jack Givens and Rick Robey.
In 1978, Hagan became the first former Kentucky player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His No. 6 jersey is retired by the program, and he joined the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Kentucky athletic director J Batt remembered Hagan’s broad influence on the program.
“Few people have impacted Kentucky Athletics in as many ways as Cliff Hagan,” Batt said. “He represented Kentucky as a champion, Hall of Famer and Athletics Director, leaving a legacy that continues to shape this department. It is an honor to follow in his footsteps and to help carry forward the standard he set.”
Batt added: “Big Blue Nation will always be grateful for Cliff and all he gave to Kentucky. Our thoughts are with the Hagan family.”
