Sam Jones and John Havlicek Elected to Hall of Fame

February 1984

Former Celtic teammates John Havlicek and Sam Jones have been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. The induction of Havlicek and Jones on April 30 will bring the number of Celtics enshrined to 13. Others honored are players Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Frank Ramsey, Ed Macauley, Andy Phillip, and Bill Sharman, and non-players Walter Brown, Red Auerbach, Honey Russell, Doggie Julian and Bill Mokray.

Havlicek, 43, now a successful TV commercial salesman for Xerox, was selected in his first year of eligibility under the mandatory five-year waiting period for retired players. In 16 years as a Celtic, Havlicek amassed a total of 26,395 points in 1270 games. Only Elvin Hayes, still active with Houston, has played in more NBA games than Havlicek. A 1962 first-round draft choice from Ohio State, Havlicek played in 13 NBA All-Star games, and was named to the all-time NBA 35th anniversary team. He played on eight Celtics championship teams, including six of seven from 1963 to 1969.

Jones, 50, a Nike sales representative, was regarded as one of the NBA's most proficient shooting guards during his 12 years with the Celtics. A 1957 first-round draft choice from North Carolina College, Jones averaged 17.6 points in 15,380 games for the Celtics. During that span, he played on 10 Celtics championship teams, including eight in a row from 1959 to 1966. Jones, reached by phone in Norfolk, Va., was lukewarm in his reaction to the news. "That's wonderful; now I'm going back to sleep," said Jones. "I don't talk basketball that much and I see very few games."

Havlicek, who now makes his home in Weston, couldn't be reached in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, where he's on a business trip. Also named to the Hall of Fame were Jack Gardner, who coached at the University of Kansas and Utah for 38 years; Cliff Fagan from the National Federation of High Schools; and Springfield College athletic director Edward S. Steitz.