Two-Sport Rookie: Drafted by Both the NBA Celtics and MLB Red Sox

Before becoming a Celtic legend, Havlicek actually faced a "basketball or baseball" choice. In 1962 he was selected in both the NBA Draft (Celtics, 7th overall) and the MLB Draft (Boston Red Sox)—the Sox liked his wing span and foot speed and hoped to develop him as an outfielder.

Havlicek ultimately chose basketball, a decision that rewrote Celtics history. But his early baseball training was not wasted: the hand-eye coordination and reaction speed it built gave him elite steal anticipation on the court—that 1969 strip was, in a sense, pure athlete instinct.

This two-sport chapter is a fun footnote: in NBA history, players drafted by two major pro leagues are few, and Havlicek proved with eight rings that he picked the path to immortality.

Related Reading

• 1974 NBA Finals MVP: John Havlicek (Boston Celtics)
• Classic Battles: Havlicek’s Playoff Moments
• The Eight-Ring Dynasty: Havlicek and the Passing of the Celtic Torch
• The Do-Everything Wing: Havlicek, a Pioneer of "Positionless" Basketball
• 1974 Finals MVP: Havlicek at 34 Leads Boston Back to the Summit