Kevin McHale is a former professional basketball player, coach and analyst. He attended the University of Minnesota, where was named All-Big Ten in 1979 and 1980 and still ranks second in school history in career points and rebounds (as of 2021).

McHale played his entire NBA career with the Boston Celtics. He made an immediate impact and was named to the NBA's All-Rookie First Team. McHale was a part of what many consider the league's best-ever frontline with small forward Larry Bird and center Robert Parish. The trio of Hall of Famers became known as the "Big Three" and led the Celtics to five NBA Finals appearances and three NBA championships, in 1981, 1984 and 1986. For the first five years of his career McHale primarily came off the bench for the Celtics, winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1984 and 1985. McHale played in seven NBA All-Star Games between 1984 and 1991. McHale's finest season came in 1986–87 when he was named to the All-NBA First Team as a forward. He led the NBA in field goal percentage in the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons, shooting 60.4 percent each season. Also a standout defensive player, McHale was selected to the NBA All-Defensive First or Second Team six times. 

Upon his retirement as an NBA player, McHale joined the Minnesota Timberwolves as a television analyst and "special assistant". In 1995, he was promoted to Vice President of Basketball Operations. He would also go on to coach the Rockets.