American · St. Louis, USA · Born 22 March 1928American basketball player and center who starred in the early NBA era, known for his smooth shooting touch and intelligent play during the 1950s.
Charles Edward Macauley Jr. was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928. He attended St. Louis University before Boston Celtics selected him in the 1950 BAA Draft. His 10-season career produced 17.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and seven All-Star appearances. He was named to the All-NBA First Team three times. He won the NBA championship with the St. Louis Hawks in 1958. The most significant moment of his career was a trade — in 1956 Boston traded Macauley and Cliff Hagan to St. Louis for the rights to Bill Russell, who San Francisco had selected second overall that year. The trade gave Boston Russell and the dynasty; it gave St. Louis Macauley, Hagan and his only championship. Without Macauley being valuable enough to trade for Russell, the Celtics dynasty may never have been built. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1960. After his playing career he returned to St. Louis and became a prominent Catholic priest and community figure, completely leaving basketball for decades before his Hall of Fame induction reconnected him to the game.
Smooth shooting big man and early NBA star
How They Played
Finesse center with excellent shooting touch and court vision
Lasting Impact
Pioneer center who helped establish professional basketball
Career Honours
- NBA Champion (1958)
- All-Star 7x
- All-NBA First Team 3x
- Hall of Fame (1960)
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Bombers | 1949–1950 | 67 |
| Boston Celtics | 1950–1956 | 416 |
| St. Louis Hawks | 1956–1959 | 194 |
American Athletes