The Kentucky-born Cliff Hagan is one of the most successful basketball players of all time known for his scoring ability, hook shot, versatility, and strength. From high school to the NBA, he has championships at every level of the game, and it’s no surprise that he became the first University of Kentucky player to get inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In his latter career, he became a highly respected coach and athletic director until he retired in 1970.
As for his personal life, he is married to Martha Hagan and together they have 4 children. The couple have also been blessed with grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. Here’s all to know.
The Early Life of Cliff Hagan
Cliff Hagan was born Clifford Oldham Hagan on December 9, 1931, and he’s 92 years old at the moment. The son of Milford and Muriel Hagan was raised in Owensboro, Kentucky, United States alongside nine siblings; Lorene, Mary Ruth, Samuel, Rudolph, Kenneth, Beverly Ann, Betty Fae, and Bobby Raye.
As for his education, Hagan attended Owensboro High School where he developed a passion for basketball and started playing at a young age. His enthusiasm towards the sport saw one of his junior high teachers organize a classroom team with the hope that Hagan would later pursue a professional career in sports. In senior high school, he became famous as one of the top players in the state. He broke a ten-year-old Owensboro Red Devils basketball record scoring 34 points and subsequently, he set new records.
Following his graduation, he was enrolled in the University of Kentucky, where he played college basketball under the guidance of legendary coach Adolph Rupp and graduated in 1953.
His Professional Career Spanned almost 2 Decades
Cliff Hagan had a remarkable basketball career that spanned both the NBA and the ABA. After graduating from the University of Kentucky, where he achieved great success and set records, he was drafted by the Boston Celtics. However, he served in the military for two years before joining the Celtics. During his military service, he continued to excel in basketball and even two consecutive Worldwide Air Force basketball championships.
In 1956, Hagan was traded to the St. Louis Hawks, where he began his NBA career. The Kentucky-born quickly established himself as a key player for the Hawks, teaming up with fellow Hall of Famer Bob Pettit to lead the team to success. In 1958, Hagan and the Hawks won the NBA championship, defeating the Boston Celtics in the finals.
Hagan soon became known for his scoring ability, versatility, and support of African-American teammates, as noted by David Halberstam in his book The Breaks of the Game. His skills in the game were recognized through his selection to five consecutive NBA All-Star games from 1958 to 1962.
He transitioned to the newly formed ABA in 1967 and joined the Dallas Chaparrals as a player-coach. Joining the team, he quickly announced himself scoring 40 points in the team’s first game and became the first player to play in both NBA and ABA All-Star games.
His Career Ended in Controversy
Hagan retired as a player in 1970 but remained involved in the world of basketball. He returned to the University of Kentucky, where he achieved great success as a college player, serving as the assistant athletic director in 1972 and eventually becoming the head athletic director in 1975. Unfortunately, his tenure as athletic director ended in controversy, as he was forced to resign in 1988 due to recruiting and eligibility violations.
Despite the controversy, his contributions to the University of Kentucky were recognized, and in 1993, the university renamed its baseball field in his honor.
In 1978, Hagan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as one of the great basketballers of the game and he became the first University of Kentucky player to receive this honor.
Hagan spends his free time playing tennis and credits his active spirit as the recipe for his younger looks and long life. His son also adds that his father’s discipline and healthy eating lifestyle add to his longevity.
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Cliff Hagan is Married and Has Four Children
Cliff Hagan is currently married to his high school sweetheart, Martha Jean Milton. The pair met while at Owensboro High School and soon started a relationship that saw them get married on September 4, 1954, a year before he graduated from Kentucky University. Their wedding ceremony was held at the First Baptist Church in Owensboro, Kentucky, and attended by several close friends and family members.
For the occasion, Hugh O. Potter Jr. of Louisville was the best man while the ushers included Frank Ramsey, Joe Elliott, and Hagan’s brothers, John Thomas Hagan and Robert Hagan.
Cliff and his wife have been married for an incredible 71 years and throughout these years, Martha has been a constant source of support and strength for her husband through the ups and downs of his basketball career and their personal lives.
Together, the couple have four children: Lisa, Laurie, Amy, and Cliff Jr. who have continued to maintain a private life from the spotlight. As such, not so much is known about their professional and personal lives. In addition to their children, the Hagans have been blessed with nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren which have been a source of happiness.
Cliff Hagan often reflects on his blessings and expresses gratitude for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
