Celtics great John ‘Hondo’ Havlicek, 79, passes away after battling Parkinson’s

Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics legend John ‘Hondo’ Havlicek passed away at 79 in Jupiter, Florida on Thursday after battling Parkinson’s disease.

The Celtics’ all-time leading scorer, Havlicek spent all 16 of his NBA seasons in Boston, winning eight titles and being named to 13 All-Star teams. 

The Celtics said the Hall of Famer died Thursday in Jupiter, Florida. The cause of death wasn’t immediately available.

Nicknamed ‘Hondo’ for his resemblance to John Wayne, Havlicek was drafted in the first round in 1962 out of Ohio State by a Celtics team stocked with stars Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, Tom ‘Satch’ Sanders, Tom Heinsohn and Frank Ramsey.

Havlicek went on to win eight NBA championships and an NBA Finals MVP award with Boston, setting Celtics career records for points and games. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History and enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.

Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek passed away at 79 in Jupiter, Florida on Thursday after battling Parkinson’s disease. The Celtics’ all-time leading scorer, Havlicek spent all 16 of his NBA seasons in Boston, winning eight titles and being named to 13 All-Star teams

The Celtics issued a statement that read, in part, 'John Havlicek is one of the most accomplished players in Boston Celtics history, and the face of many of the franchise's signature moments. He was a great champion both on the court and in the community'

Among his many feats are the sheer amount of minutes Havlicek played. He twice led the league by averaging over 45 minutes a game. Havlicek finished his career averaging 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.87 assists per game

Among his many feats are the sheer amount of minutes Havlicek played. He twice led the league by averaging over 45 minutes a game. Havlicek finished his career averaging 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.87 assists per game

After leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to the 1960 national championship. Havlicek’s first six NBA titles came as Boston’s sixth man under coach Red Auerbach.

Auerbach would keep the 6foot5 forward on the bench in favor of Sanders to begin games. Then, after the opposition became fatigued, Auerbach would insert the spry Havlicek to take advantage of the beleaguered defenders with devastating effect. 

Perhaps his most memorable moment came in Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, when he stole the inbounds pass from Hall Greer to seal the clinching victory.

The moment became immortalized thanks largely to radio announcer Johnny Most’s famous call: ‘Havlicek stole the ball!’

‘Greer putting the ball in play,’ Most said. ‘He gets it out deep and Havlicek steals it! Over to Sam Jones! Havlicek stole the ball! It’s all over!’

Boston would go on to win the franchise’s eighth NBA title.

After the retirement of franchise cornerstone Bill Russell, the team rebuilt itself around center Dave Cowens in the 70s with Havlicek in a starting role.

The team went on to beat the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns in the 1974 and 1976 NBA Finals, respectively.

John Havlicek shoots a jump shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during a game played in 1967

John Havlicek shoots a jump shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during a game played in 1967

Among his many feats are the sheer amount of minutes Havlicek played. He twice led the league by averaging over 45 minutes a game.

Havlicek finished his career averaging 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.87 assists per game.

NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER:  

‘John Havlicek was a wonderful friend who represented the best of the NBA. He described himself as a man of routine and discipline – a humble approach that produced extraordinary results, including eight NBA championships with the Boston Celtics, 13 All-Star selections and some of the most iconic moments in league history. A trusted teammate who prioritized winning, John’s passion and energy endeared him to basketball fans and made him a model for generations of NBA players. We send our deepest sympathies to John’s wife, Beth, his son, Chris, and his daughter, Jill, as well as the entire Celtics organization.’ 

The Celtics issued a statement that read, in part, ‘John Havlicek is one of the most accomplished players in Boston Celtics history, and the face of many of the franchise’s signature moments. He was a great champion both on the court and in the community. … His defining traits as a player were his relentless hustle and wholehearted commitment to team over self. …

‘He was a champion in every sense, and as we join his family, friends, and fans in mourning his loss, we are thankful for all the joy and inspiration he brought to us.’ 

Havlicek was honored as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history when the league released the list to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1996. 

As much as his deadly jump shot or his play in Boston’s triple-overtime NBA Finals victory over Phoenix in 1976, Havlicek was known for his durability.

In his NBA career he scored 26,395 points in 1,270 games and played in 13 All-Star Games.

‘The Boston Celtics are not a team, they are a way of life,’ Hall of Fame coach and executive Red Auerbach once said. And no one personified the Celtic way more than Havlicek.

His No.17 was raised to the rafters in old Boston Garden and now resides in TD Garden, retired soon after he retired in 1978. He averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the regular season, and 22.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 172 playoff games.

After leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to the 1960 national championship. Havlicek's first six NBA titles came as Boston's sixth man under coach Red Auerbach (not pictured). Auerbach would keep the 6foot5 forward on the bench in favor of Tom 'Satch' Sanders to begin games. Then, after the opposition became fatigued, Auerbach would insert the spry Havlicek to take advantage of the beleaguered defenders with devastating effect

After leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to the 1960 national championship. Havlicek’s first six NBA titles came as Boston’s sixth man under coach Red Auerbach (not pictured). Auerbach would keep the 6foot5 forward on the bench in favor of Tom ‘Satch’ Sanders to begin games. Then, after the opposition became fatigued, Auerbach would insert the spry Havlicek to take advantage of the beleaguered defenders with devastating effect

Born April 8, 1940, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, Havlicek became a standout athlete at Bridgeport High School in the small coal-mining town of 2,500 near Wheeling, West Virginia.

The 6-foot-5 Havlicek was also an outstanding football and baseball player in high school and was given a tryout by the Cleveland Browns after graduating from college.

As a sophomore at Ohio State, he scored 12.2 points a game as the Buckeyes won the national championship, beating California 75-55 in the final. His junior and senior years, Ohio State again won the Big Ten titles and made it to the NCAA title game but lost to Cincinnati each time. During Havlicek’s three years at Ohio State, the Buckeyes went 78-6, dominating most games unlike any team up to that time.

All five starters from Ohio State’s title team in 1960 – which included Jerry Lucas and future Celtics teammate Larry Siegfried – played in the NBA. Backup Bob Knight went on to a Hall of Fame coaching career.

Havlicek remained in Boston after his retirement, managing investments. He later split time between New England and Florida. He occasionally returned to Ohio State for reunions of the championship team and Celtics events. His Ohio State number was retired during ceremonies in the 2004-2005 season. 

John Havlicek, Boston Celtics legend is introduced during the unveiling of the Learn & Play Center at the Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) Tobin Community Center in 2010. To his left is Julius Erving and his former teammate and coach Tom Heinsohn

John Havlicek, Boston Celtics legend is introduced during the unveiling of the Learn & Play Center at the Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) Tobin Community Center in 2010. To his left is Julius Erving and his former teammate and coach Tom Heinsohn

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