Ohio State basketball to honor John Havlicek with uniform patch
![John Havilcek in 1960 [File photo]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/2019/11/04/NBUX/ghows-OH-968a000d-bbe2-0728-e053-0100007f1d0a-c38a58ea.jpeg?width=660&height=443&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Ohio State men's basketball program will pay tribute to one of its all-time greats when it opens the season Wednesday night against Cincinnati at Value City Arena.
The Buckeyes will take the court with special patches to honor the late John Havlicek, who passed away in April at the age of 79. An All-American who played at Ohio State from 1960-62, Havlicek led the Buckeyes to three NCAA title games, including the 1960 championship. His No. 5 jersey hangs in the rafters of the arena.
The black, circular patches will have his nickname, "Hondo," as well as his jersey number. In addition, the university is planning to hold a moment of silence in his memory before tipoff.
Dispatch columnist Michael Arace wrote of Havlicek upon his passing that the Buckeye and Boston Celtics legend was "something of an iron lung — sturdy, reliable, indefatigable." You can read his column here.
ajardy@dispatch.com
@AdamJardy