John Havlicek to Be Inducted Into 2015 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
Fort Lauderdale, Florida (PRWEB) September 11, 2015 -- John Havlicek, the former Boston Celtics legend, is among five new basketball players and three new coaches that will be inducted into the 2015 Basketball College Hall of Fame. The event will take place on November 20, 2015 at the Arvest Bank Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri.
Havlicek led The Ohio State Buckeyes to their only NCAA title victory in 1960 with a 25-3 record. He played three seasons for Coach Fred Taylor and was a two-time All-American. Havlicek was also selected as an alternate to the 1960 Olympic Games for the United States Basketball Team in 1960.
Havlicek was drafted by both the Celtics and the NFL's Cleveland Browns in 1962. After competing briefly as a wide receiver in the Browns' training camp that year, he focused his energies on playing for the Celtics, with head coach Red Auerbach later describing him as the "guts of the team." He was also known for his stamina, with competitors saying that it was a challenge just to keep up with him.
Nicknamed 'Hondo ', (a name inspired by the John Wayne movie of the same name), Havlicek revolutionized the "sixth man" role, and has been immortalized for his clutch steal in the closing seconds of the 1965 Eastern Conference championship.
Havlicek is the Celtics' all-time leader in points and games played, scoring 26,395 points (20.8 points per game, 13th all-time in points scored in the NBA), and playing in 1,270 games (17th all-time). He became the first player to score 1,000 points in 16 consecutive seasons, with his best season coming during the 1970-71 NBA season when he averaged 28.9 points per game.
Havlicek shares the NBA Finals single-game record for most points in an overtime period (9 in a May 10, 1974 game vs. the Milwaukee Bucks), and was named that year's NBA Finals MVP.
Today, more than 30 years since John Havlicek won his eighth NBA championship with the Boston Celtics, his legacy still lives on. Havlicek’s constant awareness, endurance, and professional attitude on the court made him one of the most standout players who ever lived. John Havlicek’s son, Chris Havlicek has been quoted as saying “My family and I are incredibly proud of my father and his many basketball and community accomplishments. We are all excited to celebrate his induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame this November.”
John Havlicek will be inducted into the 2015 College Basketball Hall of Fame on November 20th, 2015 at the Arvest Bank Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information on John Havlicek, click here.
Sean Horowitz, +1 (954) 763-1130, [email protected]
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