McMahon began his basketball career at St. John's University in New York, where he played for the Redmen. He was a standout player and helped lead the team to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship in 1952. McMahon was then drafted by the Rochester Royals in the NBA draft and began his professional career.
Over the course of his playing career, McMahon played for several teams, including the Rochester Royals, the St. Louis Hawks, the Cincinnati Royals, and the Philadelphia 76ers. He was known for his quickness and agility on the court, as well as his ability to score and pass the ball. McMahon was also a strong defender and was often tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player.
After retiring from playing, McMahon began his coaching career. He started as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers and then became the head coach of the Cincinnati Royals. McMahon led the Royals to the NBA playoffs in his first season as head coach and was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1963.
McMahon then went on to coach the San Diego Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was known for his tough coaching style and his ability to motivate his players. McMahon was also a successful scout and helped identify talented players for his teams.
Throughout his coaching career, McMahon led his teams to multiple playoff appearances and was known for his ability to develop young players. He was also a mentor to many other coaches in the NBA, including Pat Riley and Chuck Daly.
McMahon's contributions to the sport of basketball were recognized when he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. He passed away in 1989, but his legacy in the sport lives on. McMahon was a talented player and coach who helped shape the NBA into the league it is today.
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