Former Celtics Star and Hall of Famer John Havlicek Dies at 79
John Havlicek, eight-time NBA champion and Basketball Hall of Famer, died on Thursday at age 79.
Havlicek’s death was confirmed by the Boston Celtics, the team he played with for 16 seasons. The team sent out a statement regarding the loss of their legendary former player.
“John Havlicek is one of the most accomplished players in Boston Celtics history, and the face of many of the franchise’s signature moments,” the statement began.
“He was a great champion both on the court and in the community, winning 8 NBA championships and an NBA Finals MVP, while holding Celtics career records for points scored and games played.”
Havlicek remains the Celtics’ highest scoring member with 26,395 points across his career. He was also a 13-time NBA All-Star, and upon his retirement in 1978, the Celtics immediately retired his number 17 jersey with him.
While the NBA legend had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease, the statement did not confirm his exact cause of death.
“His defining traits as a player were his relentless hustle and wholehearted commitment to team over self,” the statement continued. “He was a champion in every sense, and as we join his family, friends, and fans in mourning his loss, we are thankful for all the joy and inspiration he brought to us.”
Following his career, Havlicek invested in three Wendy’s franchises and was also very involved in the Genesis Foundation, dedicated to providing funding for children with disabilities, according to the Celtics.
