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Cliff Hagan, a Basketball Hall of Famer who won professional and college championships with the St. Louis Hawks and the University of Kentucky, respectively, died Thursday at 94 years old.
A cause of death was not disclosed.
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Hagan, originally drafted by the Celtics in 1953, was traded to the Hawks with fellow Hall of Famer Ed Macauley in 1956 for the rights to Bill Russell, whom St. Louis took at No. 2 overall in the 1956 NBA Draft.
Cliff Hagan of the St. Louis Hawks poses for an action portrait during the 1960 season in St. Louis, Missouri. NBAE via Getty Images
Hagan, a third-round pick, never played for the Celtics and served in the United States Air Force from 1953-56 before debuting with the Hawks.
A five-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, Hagan spent his entire 10-year NBA career with St. Louis, helping the franchise defeat the Celtics for the 1958 NBA title.
Hagan averaged 17.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists over 839 NBA appearances before retiring for good after the 1969-70 season.
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Before his professional career, Hagan was a two-time consensus All-American at Kentucky under legendary coach Adolph Rupp.
He helped the Wildcats win the 1951 national championship and led them to a perfect 25-0 record in 1953-54.
Kentucky declined an NCAA Tournament invitation that season because eligibility rules prohibited Hagan and two other graduated players from participating.
Cliff Hagan was traded for a rookie Bill Russell in 1956. NBAE via Getty Images
The Wildcats went 86-5 during Hagan’s three varsity seasons.
The 6-foot-4 forward once scored 26 points in a single fourth quarter against the Knicks in 1958.
Hagan returned to Kentucky as athletic director in 1975, serving until 1988.
Kentucky’s named their baseball field “Cliff Hagan Stadium” in 1993, which served as the team’s home until 2018. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
During his tenure, the school won the 1978 men’s basketball national championship, led by Jack Givens and Rick Robey.
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Hagan became the first former Kentucky player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978.
His No. 6 jersey…
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Publish date : 2026-10-17 04:32:00
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