College Years: A Champion Guard at Ohio State

Before the NBA, Havlicek spent a solid college career at Ohio State. The Buckeyes of that era boasted Jerry Lucas (a later NBA star) and Bob Knight (a future legendary coach), a loaded roster. In 1960 they won the NCAA championship together, with Havlicek emerging as a starting wing.

In college he was not the absolute center of attention, but was known for "doing the dirty work": defense, rebounding, pushing the break—a role identical to his later "sixth man" days in Boston. Whatever the team needed, he did.

The Ohio State title gave him an early taste of "winning culture." When he joined the Celtics in 1962, Auerbach's system felt just like college: sacrifice self for the team. Havlicek had almost no adjustment period and quickly became the crucial screw in the green machine.

Related Reading

• 1974 NBA Finals MVP: John Havlicek (Boston Celtics)
• Classic Battles: Havlicek’s Playoff Moments
• Two-Sport Rookie: Drafted by Both the NBA Celtics and MLB Red Sox
• The Eight-Ring Dynasty: Havlicek and the Passing of the Celtic Torch
• The Do-Everything Wing: Havlicek, a Pioneer of "Positionless" Basketball