Kevin McHale
Inducted:
1999
Player Stats
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Born
December 19, 1957
Hibbing, Minnesota, U.S.
Position:
Power forward
College:
Minnesota (1976–1980)
Kevin "The Torture Chamber" McHale is widely regarded as the most technically proficient low-post scorer in NBA history. A 6'10" power forward with an extraordinary 7'10" wingspan, McHale spent his entire 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. McHale was a master of efficiency, becoming the first player to shoot over 60% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line in the same season (1986–87).
He began his career as the league's premier reserve, winning back-to-back Sixth Man of the Year awards before transitioning into a perennial All-Star starter. His "Torture Chamber" nickname referred to his "thousand moves"—a relentless array of up-and-unders, drop steps, and fadeaways that left defenders helpless. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
McHale's Awards and Records
- One of the greatest defensive big men of his generation
- 32 Retired by the Boston Celtics
- First-team All-Big Ten (1980)
- Second-team All-Big Ten (1979)
- Minnesota Mr. Basketball (1976)
NBA Records
- 3× NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986)
- 7× NBA All-Star (1984, 1986–1991)
- All-NBA First Team (1987)
- 3× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1986–1988)
- 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1983, 1989, 1990)
- 2× NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1984, 1985)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1981)
- NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th)
NBA Team
Boston Celtics (1980–1993)
National Team
United States
NBA Draft
1980: 1st round, 3rd overall pick
Boston Celtics
Number Worn
32
NBA Stats
Seasons:
13 (1980–1993)
Games Played:
971
Game Started:
400
Points:
17,335 (17.9 ppg)
Rebounds:
7,122 (7.3 rpg)
Blocks:
1,690 (1.7 bpg)
Steals:
344
Field Goal %:
.554
Points Per Game:
17.9
NBA Championships:
3 (1981, 1984, 1986)
All-Star Selections:
7 (1984, 1986–1991)