Published in Look Magazine, January 6, 1959 pp. 50, 52-53

The two "friends" battle for ball. Ramsey says "hustle" is his best weapon against foes.

Ramsey fires a hook. He hits from all angles.

Two former University of Kentucky co-captains, Cliff Hagan and Frank Ramsey, are good friends. But when the whistle blows on a pro basketball court, they become embattled rivals. Hagan stars for the St. Louis Hawks, while Ramsey is a key player with the Boston Celtics. In the past two seasons, both the Hawks and the Celtics have won titles in their National Basketball Association divisions, and each has won a world title. The Celtics won the play-offs in 1957, the Hawks in 1958. Both teams are moving well this season, and the prospect is that Hagan and Ramsey will clash again in the playoffs. Each hates to lose, a habit growing out of their record in 1954, when the U.K. Wildcats won 25 straight games. And as these pictures indiciate, they are still trying to outdo each other.

On a driving layup, Hagan reveals the form that made him such a deadly shot.

Two seasons ago, Hagan's early play was ineffective. Hawk owner Ben Kerner wanted to trade him. Cliff's wide pleaded his case, and Kerner relented. Then, an arm injury to Bob Pettit, the Hawk's scoring star, gave Hagan a chance to play, and he made the most of it. Last season, Cliff's high scoring aided in bringing Kerner his first world title in 12 years. Cliff's ex-teammate Ramsey is a Celtic spark plug who can play anywhere, up front or in the backcourt. "I don't start Ramsey in a game. He's too valuable," says his coach, Red Auerbach. "He's the guy who goes into action when the team needs a lift."

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