Ayrton Oneill
John Havlicek, nicknamed Hondo, was an American professional basketball player who spent his entire career with the Boston Celtics. He was a 13-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA First Team four times. Havlicek is known for his incredible endurance, which allowed him to outlast his opponents. In 1984, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Joseph Havlicek |
| Nickname | Hondo |
| Date of Birth | 8 April 1940 |
| Place of Birth | Martins Ferry, Ohio, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Positions | Small Forward, Shooting Guard, Guard, Forward |
| Teams | Ohio State Buckeyes, Boston Celtics |
| Drafted | 1962 NBA Draft, 7th overall pick |
| Career Duration | 16 years |
| Career Average | 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists per game |
| NBA All-Star | 13 times |
| NBA All-Defensive First Team | 5 times |
| NBA All-Defensive Second Team | 3 times |
| All-NBA First Team | 4 times |
| All-NBA Second Team | 7 times |
| Championships | 8 |
| Hall of Fame | Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 1984 |
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What You'll Learn
John Havlicek's career
John Havlicek was an American professional basketball player who spent his entire 16-year career with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Known for his stamina, hustle, and all-round ability, Havlicek is regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1940, Havlicek was a three-sport athlete at Bridgeport High School, starring in basketball, baseball, and football. He went on to play college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1959 to 1962, winning an NCAA championship in 1960. During his freshman year, he also played baseball and batted over .400.
In 1962, Havlicek was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Draft. He was also drafted by the Cleveland Pipers of the American Basketball League (ABL) and the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Havlicek chose to focus on basketball and joined the Celtics, with whom he would spend the rest of his career.
During his time with the Celtics, Havlicek played either guard or forward and was known for his relentless baseline-to-baseline efforts, wearing out opponents with his stamina and endurance. He was a key contributor to the team's success, winning eight NBA championships—a record he shares with only two other players in NBA history. Havlicek was also a 13-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA First Team four times and the All-NBA Second Team seven times. He served as captain of the Celtics from 1969 to 1978 and was named NBA Finals MVP in 1974.
Following his retirement in 1978, Havlicek's number 17 jersey was retired by the Celtics. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984 and has since been honoured on multiple occasions as one of the league's greatest players. In addition to his on-court achievements, Havlicek was known for his character and commitment to the team. He was also shrewd with his money during his playing career, investing in the Wendy's fast-food chain, which provided him with a comfortable income after retirement.
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His time with the Boston Celtics
John Havlicek spent his entire 16-year career with the Boston Celtics, playing from 1962 until his retirement in 1978. A 6-foot-5 swingman, he was known for his stamina, hustle, and scoring threat.
Havlicek was drafted by the Celtics in 1962, but he had already proven himself as a multi-talented athlete. At Bridgeport High School, he starred in basketball, baseball, and football, and he went on to play baseball and basketball at Ohio State University.
Havlicek's talent was recognised early on by the Celtics, who utilised his versatility by playing him as either guard or forward. He was a key player in the team's success, with his relentless playing style wearing out opponents. His stamina was legendary, with New York Knicks coach Red Holzman commenting that "on stamina alone, he’d be among the top players who ever played the game".
During his time with the Celtics, Havlicek won eight NBA championships and was named NBA Finals MVP in 1974. He was also captain of the Celtics from 1969 to 1978. One of his most famous moments came in 1965 when he stole the ball in the final seconds of Game Seven in the Eastern Conference Finals, securing the Celtics' victory and their place in the NBA Finals.
Havlicek's number 17 jersey was retired by the Celtics following his retirement, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983 or 1984. He remains an iconic figure for the Celtics, with Boston City Hall lit in green following his death in 2019.
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Havlicek's college basketball
John Havlicek, often nicknamed Hondo, was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1959 to 1962, winning an NCAA championship in 1960.
At Bridgeport High School, Havlicek was a three-sport athlete, starring in basketball, baseball, and football. He was an All-State selection in all three sports and was highly recruited as a quarterback. Despite choosing Ohio State, he did not play football but instead focused on basketball.
Havlicek played on Buckeyes teams with Jerry Lucas, Bobby Knight, and future Celtics teammate Larry Siegfried. In three seasons, he scored 14.6 points, and his teams compiled a 78-6 record. The 1960 Ohio State Buckeyes, coached by Fred Taylor, won the NCAA title. Havlicek was named as an alternate for the 1960 United States national team that competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
After his senior season, Havlicek was drafted into two professional sports leagues. The NFL's Cleveland Browns selected him in the seventh round of the 1962 NFL Draft, and the NBA's Boston Celtics selected him in the first round of the 1962 NBA Draft. He chose to pursue a career in basketball and played for the Celtics until his retirement in 1978.
During his 16-year career with the Celtics, Havlicek became known for his stamina, hustle, and all-around abilities. He won eight NBA championships and was a 13-time NBA All-Star. He was also named to the All-NBA First Team four times and the All-NBA Second Team seven times. In addition, Havlicek was a five-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team and a three-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Following his retirement, Havlicek's number 17 jersey was retired by the Celtics, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. He is remembered as one of the greatest players in NBA history and was selected for several anniversary teams, including the NBA 35th Anniversary Team in 1980 and the NBA 50th Anniversary Team in 1996.
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Awards and recognition
John Havlicek was a highly decorated basketball player. He was a 13-time NBA All-Star, and was named to the All-NBA First Team four times and to the All-NBA Second Team seven times. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team on five occasions and to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times. Havlicek was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983 or 1984 as a player. He was also named NBA Finals MVP in 1974.
In 1980, Havlicek was selected as one of the league's greatest players ever, being named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team. In 1996, he was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History by a panel of journalists, players, coaches, executives, and general managers. He was also named the 14th best player of all time in Bill Simmons's Book of Basketball. In October 2021, Havlicek was again honoured as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. To commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary, The Athletic published their own list of the top 75 players of all time, ranking Havlicek as the 29th-greatest player in NBA history. In 1974, Havlicek received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
In addition to his individual accolades, Havlicek was a key member of the dominant Boston Celtics teams of the 1960s, winning eight NBA championships during his career. He is also known for his iconic steal in Game Seven of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals, which saved the game and the Celtics' playoff hopes.
In 2007, Bridgeport High School in his hometown renamed their gymnasium the "John J. Havlicek Gymnasium". In October 2022, Havlicek was inaugurated into the Croatian-American Sports Hall of Fame. In December 2022, the NBA named the newly redesigned Sixth Man of the Year trophy after Havlicek, honouring his impact in revolutionising the "sixth man" role in the NBA.
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Life after basketball
John Havlicek was a basketball legend who spent his entire career with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). During his 16 seasons with the Celtics, Havlicek became known for his stamina and hustle, revolutionizing the "sixth man" role in the NBA. He retired in 1978 with a slew of impressive statistics and accolades, including being a 13-time NBA All-Star and winning eight NBA championships.
After his retirement, Havlicek continued to be recognized for his outstanding career. In 1980, he was named to the NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team, and in 1983, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Havlicek's number 17 jersey was retired by the Celtics, and he received numerous other honours, including being named to the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996 and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Havlicek was also shrewd with his money during his playing career, investing wisely in the Wendy's fast-food chain. These successful investments provided him with a comfortable income after retirement, allowing him to focus on other pursuits. He served as a corporate speaker and dedicated his time to philanthropy, serving on the board of the Genesis Foundation, which assists children with disabilities and genetic disorders. Havlicek and his wife, Beth, also held the John Havlicek Celebrity Fishing Tournament for over three decades, with proceeds going to the foundation.
In his later years, Havlicek battled Parkinson's disease and passed away on April 25, 2019, at the age of 79. His legacy continued to be honoured, with the NBA renaming the Sixth Man of the Year trophy the "John Havlicek Trophy" in 2022. Havlicek's impact extended beyond his basketball achievements, as he was known for his character and commitment to his team, earning the respect and admiration of coaches, players, and fans alike.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, John Havlicek was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983/1984.
John Havlicek was a 13-time NBA All-Star, an eight-time NBA champion, and was named to the All-NBA First Team four times. He was also named NBA Finals MVP in 1974. Havlicek was known for his stamina, hustle, and defensive skills.
John Havlicek played both forward and guard for the Boston Celtics. At 6'5" , he was bigger and stronger than most guards and quicker than most forwards. He was also a talented shooter and ball handler. Havlicek was known for his endurance and was renowned for wearing out his opponents.
John Havlicek played college basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1959 to 1962, winning an NCAA championship in 1960. He was then drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1962 and played for them until his retirement in 1978. During his 16-year career, he won eight NBA championships and was a perennial All-Star.
