We are deeply saddened by the passing of John Havlicek ’62. He was a great Buckeye and a legendary member of @OhioStateHoops.
— Ohio State Alumni (@OhioStateAlumni) April 26, 2019
Our thoughts and condolences are with the entire Havlicek family. pic.twitter.com/p0mqaDnxZO
The Martins Ferry, Ohio, native made the All-America first team as a senior and went on to a decorated career for the Boston Celtics, where he was best known as the sixth man for one of the preeminent dynasties in league history.
The 6-foot-5 forward won eight NBA championships and scored 26,395 points for the Celtics, making the All-NBA team four times and being named MVP of the 1974 Finals.
The Celtics released a statement after news of his passing broke:
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, winning 8 NBA championships and an NBA Finals MVP, while holding Celtics career records for points scored and games played. Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, he is enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame and his retired #17 hangs in the Garden rafters. His defining traits as a player were his relentless hustle and wholehearted commitment to team over self.
He was extraordinarily thoughtful and generous, both on a personal level and for those in need, as illustrated by his commitment to raising money for The Genesis Foundation for Children for over three decades through his fishing tournament. John was kind and considerate, humble and gracious. 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 is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the NBA’s 50th Anniversary team as well as the Ohio State Varsity ‘O’ Hall of Fame.
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