Did You Know – John Havlicek – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 8, 2015
Born on this date in 1940, John Havlicek is 13th on the NBA all-time scoring list (26, 395 points). The Buckeye great was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame? in 1984. He appeared in 13-consecutive NBA All-Star Games (1966-78), earned 11 selections to the All-NBA First or Second Team, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First or Second Team eight times.
Although he probably was better known for his exploits as a member of the Boston Celtics, John Havlicek was an undeniably great college player. He was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes between 1960 and ’62 and he helped the team to a 78-6 record, three-consecutive Final Fours and the 1960 National Championship. He was a two-time All-Big Ten pick and a first-team All-American as a senior.
Havlicek also was a two-time pick on the all-tournament team at the Final Four. He scored 1,223 points during his career, a total that is 26th on the all-time OSU scoring list. The 6-foot-5-inch forward also averaged 8.6 rebounds and still ranks 11th in that department. Havlicek holds several OSU records, including the best shooting performance ina game, a perfect nine-of-nine against Michigan in 1961.That effort was tied by Brian Brown against Florida State in 2000. After playing at Ohio State, Havlicek was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the NFL and the Celtics.
The last player cut by the Browns (all-pro flanker Gary Collins was the player they kept), Havlicek went on to a distinguished career with the Boston Celtics, first as a sixth man and later as a starter.
Few players played the game with more intensity and few were better at accepting the challenge at the defensive end of the floor.
Havlicek’s No. 5 jersey was retired during the 2004-05 season (vs. Wisconsin, Feb. 27). He is one of four Ohio State men’s basketball players to have his number officially retired.
