Easy Ed Macauley

Six-time All-Star traded for Bill Russell — the most impactful trade in NBA history began with his departure.

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.

Finesse center with excellent shooting touch and court vision

Pioneer center who helped establish professional basketball

• NBA Champion (1958)
• All-Star 7x
• All-NBA First Team 3x
• Hall of Fame (1960)