Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed information on Cliff Hagan:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Clifford Oldham Hagan
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on December 9, 1931
  • Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)
  • Weight: 210 lbs (95 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 4 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 13 (US)
  • Number: 16 (with the St. Louis Hawks), 17 (with the Dallas Chaparrals)
  • Position: Small Forward / Shooting Guard
  • High School: Owensboro High School in Owensboro, Kentucky
  • College: University of Kentucky (Kentucky Wildcats)
  • NBA Draft: 1953 NBA Draft, 1st round, 8th overall pick by the Boston Celtics (though he did not play for them, as he served in the military and was later traded to the Hawks)
  • Teams Played For:
    • St. Louis Hawks (1956–1966)
    • Dallas Chaparrals (ABA, 1967–1969)
  • Championship Rings: 1 NBA Championship with the St. Louis Hawks (1958)
  • Kids: Information on children is not widely publicized
  • Siblings: Information on siblings is not widely publicized

Player Archetype / Play Style

Cliff Hagan’s player archetype was that of a scoring forward-wing hybrid — a polished, high-volume offensive threat who blended old-school toughness with real finesse, giving his teams a dependable go-to option from the wing and mid-post. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Hagan was strong, compact, and quick enough to create advantages despite not having towering size for a forward, and that sturdy build helped him absorb contact, rebound well, and hold his own in a physical era. Defensively, he fit more as a competitive, fundamentally sound team defender than a pure shutdown specialist, using effort, positioning, and strength to battle across frontcourt assignments. Offensively, he was the featured weapon: a skilled scorer whose reputation was built on touch, craft, and especially a devastating hook shot, while still offering enough passing feel to keep the ball moving within the flow of the offense. Overall, Hagan’s play style was smooth but rugged — part scorer, part connector, and part tone-setter — the kind of multipurpose star who could punish defenses without relying on flash. (Basketball Reference)

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Cliff Hagan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and …
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Cliff Hagan – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
NBA.com — Cliff Hagan | Forward | St. Louis Hawks
Sports-Reference — Cliff Hagan College Stats