Dak PrescottCeeDee LambMicah ParsonsTrevon DiggsSauce GardnerGarrett WilsonBreece HallTrevor LawrenceTravis EtienneCalvin RidleyC.J. StroudNico CollinsBrock PurdyDeebo SamuelBrandon AiyukGeorge KittleJordan LoveChristian WatsonAmon-Ra St. BrownAidan HutchinsonJared GoffDrake LondonKyle PittsBijan RobinsonJayden DanielsTerry McLaurinJa'Marr ChaseTee HigginsMark AndrewsDe'Von Achane
JH
Basketball Biography

John Havlicek

“Hondo”

American · Martins Ferry, Ohio · Born 1 January 1940

Small Forward/Shooting Guard
20.8
ppg
6.3
rpg
4.8
apg
8
championships

Advertisement

Hondo — eight-time NBA champion and the greatest all-around Celtic of the dynasty era.

John Joseph Havlicek was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio in 1940. He attended Ohio State University — where he played in the 1960 and 1961 NCAA championship games and won in 1960 alongside Jerry Lucas and Bobby Knight. Boston Celtics selected him in the first round of the 1962 NBA Draft. His 16-season career produced eight NBA championships (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976), 13 All-Star appearances and the Finals MVP award in 1974. He averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game — one of the most complete statistical profiles in Celtics history. He played 6 of his 8 championships alongside Bill Russell and later won 2 more alongside Dave Cowens and Paul Silas. He was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team in 1996 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984. His steal of Hal Greer's inbounds pass in the final seconds of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals — immortalised by announcer Johnny Most's call of Havlicek stole the ball! — is one of basketball's most celebrated moments. He is the greatest Celtic outside of Bill Russell in terms of individual production.

Famous For

Sixth Man role, clutch performances, and incredible stamina

Playing Style

How They Played

Versatile guard/forward known for tireless energy and clutch plays

Legacy

Lasting Impact

One of the greatest sixth men and clutch performers in NBA history

Best Known For

NBA Champion 8x

Honours & Achievements

Career Honours

  • NBA Champion 8x
  • Finals MVP (1974)
  • All-Star 13x
  • All-NBA First Team 4x
  • Hall of Fame (1984)
  • NBA 50th Anniversary Team
Career Journey

Timeline

1962 📌 NBA debut with Boston Celtics
1963 🏆 First NBA Championship
1965 🎯 Famous steal in Eastern Conference Finals
1974 🏆 Finals MVP Award
1976 🏆 NBA Championship (8th title)
1978 📌 Retired from professional basketball
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

5 common questions about John Havlicek

John Havlicek averaged 20.8 points per game in the NBA.

John Havlicek won 8 NBA Championships.

John Havlicek averaged 6.3 rebounds per game in his NBA career.

John Havlicek averaged 4.8 assists per game in his NBA career.

John Havlicek was born in 1940 in Martins Ferry.

Career Timeline — John Havlicek
1962
NBA debut with Boston Celtics
1963
First NBA Championship
1965
Famous steal in Eastern Conference Finals
1974
Finals MVP Award
1976
NBA Championship (8th title)
1978
Retired from professional basketball
NBA Champion 8x
Finals MVP (1974)
All-Star 13x
All-NBA First Team 4x
Hall of Fame (1984)
NBA 50th Anniversary Team