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Cliff Hagan, Hawks champion and Hall of Famer, dies at 94

The five-time NBA All-Star spent his entire NBA career in St. Louis and later became a player-coach in the ABA.

By TSP Staff
Cliff Hagan’s retired number 6 jersey banner hanging in Rupp Arena
A jersey banner honoring Cliff Hagan hangs in Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, on October 29, 2013. File photograph. Photo: Acdixon / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0). · Credit: Acdixon / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)

Cliff Hagan, a five-time NBA All-Star who helped the St. Louis Hawks win the 1958 championship, died Thursday at 94, the NBA announced Friday.

Hagan played all 10 of his NBA seasons with the Hawks, entering the league in 1956. He earned two All-NBA selections during that period before leaving the league in 1966.

The NBA’s announcement credited Hagan with an important role on St. Louis’ championship team and extended condolences to his loved ones and the Hawks organization.

Hagan also won an NCAA championship at Kentucky. Following his NBA playing career, he worked on Hawks television and radio broadcasts.

He returned to professional basketball as a player-coach with the Dallas Chaparrals for the ABA’s inaugural 1967-68 season. Hagan earned an ABA All-Star selection, adding to his five appearances in the NBA event.

Hagan retired from playing at the beginning of the 1969-70 season. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978.

Sources and notes

  1. NBA.com: https://www.nba.com/news/cliff-hagan-hall-of-fame-forward-dies-at-94
  2. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/cliff-hagan