McHale, Kevin (1957-…), was one of the most dominant “big men” in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). McHale stood 6 feet 10 inches (209 centimeters) tall and was famous for overpowering defenders close to the basket with his strength and agile moves. McHale was also an outstanding defensive player and was named to the NBA All-Defensive first or second team six times. He also won the NBA Sixth Man award twice. The award goes to the league’s outstanding substitute player.
Kevin Edward McHale was born on Dec. 19, 1957, in Hibbing, Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1980. In 1995, McHale was selected as the best player in the history of University of Minnesota basketball. The Boston Celtics picked him as the third overall selection in the 1980 NBA draft. McHale played his entire career with the Celtics, retiring as a player in 1993. He was a star on the Celtics teams that won three NBA championships. McHale averaged 17.9 points a game during his 13 seasons with the Celtics and averaged 18.8 points in 169 playoff games.
In 1994, McHale became assistant general manager for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. He served as vice president of basketball operations with the Timberwolves from 1995 to 2008, when he resigned to become the team’s head coach. McHale coached Minnesota through the end of the 2008-2009 regular season and then was released by the team. He was coach of the Houston Rockets from 2011 to 2015. McHale was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.
