Today in Boston Celtics history: Havlicek passes; Cooper, Macauley drafted; '65 banner won

Q: What year did John Havlicek pass away?

John Havlicek passed away in 2019 at the age of 74.

Q: Who was the first African American player drafted into the NBA?

Chuck Cooper was the first African American player drafted into the NBA in 1950.

Q: What significant event happened in Boston Celtics history on June 15, 1965?

On June 15, 1965, the Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Q: What accolades did John Havlicek achieve during his NBA career?

John Havlicek won eight NBA championships, was selected to 13 All-Star games, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Today in Boston Celtics history, Hall of Fame Celtics forward John Havlicek passed away in 2019 at the age of 74 in Jupiter, Florida, following a prolonged battle with Parkinson's disease. Affectionately known as "Hondo," he was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1940 and played his collegiate basketball at nearby Ohio State, where he helped his team win the NCAA championship in 1960. He was picked up seventh overall in the 1962 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics and had a 16-season career with the team, during which he won a total of eight NBA championships. Havlicek was also honored with 13 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA team selections, and 8 All-Defensive team selections, among numerous other accolades. Havlicek's jersey was retired by Boston immediately after his playing career ended in 1978, and he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.

Unknown date; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics forward John Havlicek (17) in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

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It was on this date in 1950 that Celtics wing luminary Chuck Cooper became the first African American drafted into the NBA, taken out of Duquesne by Boston with the 14th overall pick. Cooper joined Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton and Earl Lloyd as the first African Americans to play in the league that season, making his debut on Nov. 1 against the (then) Fort Wayne (now, Detroit) Pistons. Cooper played four seasons for the Celtics, averaging 6.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game over that stretch. He was elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2019.

The 1953–54 Boston Celtics basketball team practicing the pick and roll. From left to rightː Bob Donham, Ed Mikan, Bill Sharman and Chuck Cooper On the same day, Boston selected Ed Macauley in the St. Louis Bombers dispersal draft, done to distribute the players from that franchise among the other NBA teams in the league after that franchise went under. Macauley played six seasons with the Celtics and was elected to six All-Star games and four All-NBA teams over that stretch, during which he averaged 18.9 points, 8.1 boards, and 3.7 assists. "Easy Ed" was later dealt with Cliff Hagan's contract to the for Boston big man luminary Bill Russell. A Spalding basketball, signed by Boston Celtics legends Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Dennis Johnson, Tom "Satch" Sanders, Don Nelson, Tom Heinsohn, Frank Ramsey, Ed Macauley, Bill Sharman, Cedric Maxwell, Nate Archibald, Jojo White and Sam Jones, estimated between $4,000-6,000, respectively, on display at Julien's Auctions on September 1, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California ahead of the September 9 Recording Academy Musicares Charity Relief Auction. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) It is also the date of the 1951 NBA draft, held in New York City, in which the Celtics drafted two players of note. The first was point guard Jim Luisi, taken 56th out of St. Francis college. Luisi never played for Boston, instead fighting in the Korean War before returning to play a season for the Baltimore Bullets. He later became an actor. The other was shooting guard Ernie Barrett, selected by the Celtics seventh overall out of Kansas State. Barrett played two seasons for Boston, averaging 4.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in his Celtics tenure.