Cliff Hagan, one of the most decorated names in Kentucky basketball history, has died at 94.
The news was first reported Thursday night by Oscar Combs, founder of Cats’ Pause.
Hagan’s place in the Wildcats’ story runs deep. He starred for Kentucky from 1950-54 under Adolph Rupp, helping power the program to the 1951 national championship.
The 6-foot-4 forward from Owensboro was a two-time consensus First Team All-American, earning that recognition in 1952 and 1954. Across his Kentucky career, he averaged 19.2 points and 13.4 rebounds per game, and his No. 6 jersey remains in the Rupp Arena rafters.
Before arriving in Lexington, Hagan had already made his mark at home. Born on Dec. 9, 1931, he led Owensboro High to a state championship in 1949.
Hagan’s basketball life didn’t stop when college ended. After two years in the military, he went on to play 13 seasons in the NBA and ABA.
He was a five-time NBA All-Star with the St. Louis Hawks and later earned one ABA All-Star selection with the Dallas Chaparrals, where he also served as a player-coach.
With the Hawks, he won the 1958 NBA championship and finished 11th in MVP voting.
Over his professional career, Hagan totaled 14,870 points and 5,555 rebounds in 839 games.
He eventually came back to Kentucky, joining the school as assistant athletic director in 1972 before becoming athletic director in 1975. C.M. Newton later succeeded him in 1989.
Hagan’s legacy was honored at the highest levels. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978, becoming the first former Wildcat to receive that distinction, and later entered the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.
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