Kevin McHale

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

McHale's journey to greatness began at Hibbing High School, where he was named Minnesota Mr. Basketball in 1976 after leading his team to a runner-up finish in the state championship. He attended the University of Minnesota from 1976 to 1980, setting records that still stand today and earning first-team All Conference honors twice. In 1995, he was selected as the top player in University of Minnesota men's basketball history for its 100th anniversary. His college career included a memorable moment where he asked visiting NFL star Chuck Foreman, "What do you do for a living?" during a locker room handshake, showcasing his comic wit.

In Their Own Story

McHale entered the NBA via a historic pre-draft trade: Red Auerbach sent the number one pick to the Golden State Warriors for Robert Parish and the third overall pick, which Boston used to draft McHale. He spent his first five seasons as the team's sixth man, earning NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors in 1984 and 1985. After Cedric Maxwell was traded prior to the 1985–1986 season, McHale became a full-time starter alongside Larry Bird and Robert Parish, forming what is arguably the greatest frontcourt in NBA history. In March 1985, he scored a then-Celtics record 56 points against the Detroit Pistons. Two nights later, he added 42 points against the Knicks; these consecutive games totaling 98 points remain a Celtics record. He won three NBA championships with Boston in 1981, 1984, and 1986.

Reader's Guide

McHale's dominance peaked during the 1985–1986 season when he averaged better than 20 points per game (21.3) for the first time in his career. In the 1986 NBA Finals against Houston, he led all scorers with an average of 25.8 points per game as Boston won the title in six games. By the 1986–1987 season, he became the first player in NBA history to shoot 60% or better from the field (60.4%) and 80% or better from the free-throw line (83.6%) in the same season. His career was cut short by injuries following the 1992–1993 season, but his legacy endured as he was named to both the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.

Did You Know?

• McHale set the Celtics' single-game scoring record with 56 points on March 3, 1985, against the Detroit Pistons.
• He was the first player in NBA history to shoot over 60% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line in the same season (1986–1987).
• Dominique Wilkins famously nicknamed him "A Man With a Thousand Moves" due to his unguardable post play.
• McHale scored 98 points in two consecutive games (56 vs. Pistons, 42 vs. Knicks) in March 1985, a Celtics record that still stands.