Hagan, Clifford O.
Basketball
b. Dec. 9, 1931, Owensboro, KY
Hagan starred at the University of Kentucky for one of the greatest college teams ever assembled. Kentucky won the NCAA championship in 1951, Hagan's sophomore year. He was an All-American forward as a junior. Because of recruiting violations, the school was banned from competition in 1952-53.
Coach Adolph Rupp kept the team together, however. The players worked out all year and in 1953 the Southeastern Conference granted Hagan, Lou Tsioropoulos, and Frank Ramsey an additional year of eligibility. Kentucky swept through the season, winning all 25 games, 24 of them by 12 points or more. However, the NCAA refused to allow the three to compete in the post-season tournament, so Kentucky declined to enter.
After two years in the service, during which he played for the Andrews Air Force Base team, Hagan joined the St. Louis Hawks of the NBA in 1957. He teamed with Clyde Lovellette and Bob Pettit to form an outstanding front line, known as the "Unmatchables." The Hawks beat the Boston Celtics in a six-game final series to win the 1958 NBA championship.
Hagan was very quick at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, and he was very strong for his size. He was a clever scorer near the basket, often lofting a quick, short hook shot over taller defenders.
He retired after the 1965-66 season, but came back in 1967 to play with the Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association, and he became player-coach in 1968. He played just three games in 1969-70 and resigned as coach after the season. He served as athletic director at his alma mater from 1975 to 1988.
In 840 professional games, Hagan scored 14,870 points, an average of 17.7 per game. He averaged 20 or more points a game four consecutive seasons, 1958-59 through 1961-62. As Dallas coach, he won 109 games and lost 90.