Ed Macauley, a legendary player who played for the Boston Celtics from the 1950 season through 1956 campaign, died at the age of 83 on Tuesday, as announced by his alma mater St. Louis University.
"The Saint Louis University department of athletics sends its thoughts and prayers to the Macauley family on the passing of a great Billiken - Easy Ed Macauley," St. Louis University athletic director Chris May said in a statement. "Ed was a wonderful representative of the Billikens, a true class act. The SLU community has lost a true legend."
Macauley, better known as "Easy Ed," was the greatest Billiken basketball player in school history, in the words of the school's athletics website. Macauley led St. Louis University to the 1948 NIT Championship and was the 1948-49 Associated Press Collegiate Player Of They Year. He scored 1,402 points in his career, ranking tenth in school history.
In1949, Macauley was drafted by the St. Louis Bombers and played one season with the team before being drafted by the Boston Celtics in the dispersal draft the very next season. Macauley played six seasons with the Celtics and was an All-Star in each season.
On April 30, 1956, Macauley was traded to the St. Louis Hawks along with Cliff Hagan in exchange for one of the greatest players ever to play the game, center Bill Russell. Macauley went on to win one championship title with the Hawks in 1958, ironically against the Celtics. Boston beat Macauley and his Hawks for the NBA title in 1957.
Macauley retired after the 1958-59 season with 11,234 career points, 4,325 rebounds and 2,079 assists in 641 game. Macauley went on to coach the Hawks for three seasons. On October 16, 1963, Macauley's number (No. 22) was retired by the Celtics.
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