Ed Macauley

Easy Ed Macauley: Celtics legend, Hall of Famer, and 1958 NBA champion.

Charles Edward Macauley (March 22, 1928 – November 8, 2011) was a professional basketball player and coach. His playing nickname was "Easy Ed". Macauley played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1949 to 1959 for the St. Louis Bombers, Boston Celtics, and St. Louis Hawks. During his career, Macauley earned seven All-Star selections and won a championship with the Hawks in 1958. He played college basketball for Saint Louis.

Quick Facts

Born: 22 March 1928
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died: 8 November 2011
High school: St. Louis University HS (St. Louis, Missouri)
College: Saint Louis (1945–1949)
Draft league: BAA
Draft pick: territorial pick
Drafted by: St. Louis Bombers

Lore & Background

Macauley acquired his nickname "Easy Ed" during a pre-game warmup in his sophomore year at Saint Louis University, when fans shouted "Take it easy, Ed" because he, the captain of the team, did not realize that the national anthem was being played when he left the locker room and ran out onto the court. He was named AP Player of the Year in 1949 and led his college team to the NIT championship in 1948.

Reader's Guide

Macauley was traded from the Boston Celtics to the St. Louis Hawks on April 29, 1956, the day of the 1956 NBA draft. He and Cliff Hagan were sent to the Hawks for Bill Russell, who was drafted as the second overall pick in the draft that day. Macauley convinced reluctant Celtics owner Walter A. Brown to trade him to St. Louis because Macauley's son had been diagnosed with spinal meningitis and was in St. Louis receiving care. All three players eventually made the Hall of Fame.

Did You Know?

Macauley was named MVP of the first NBA All-Star Game and played in the first seven All-Star Games.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1960 at age 32, still the youngest male player to be admitted.
His uniform number 22 was retired by the Celtics on October 16, 1963, the same date when the Celtics retired the number of his teammate Bob Cousy.
As of 2019, Macauley was one of only two Celtics to have his number retired without having won a championship with the team; the other was Reggie Lewis.