Last Updated on April 15, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here are the details for George Yardley:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: George Harry Yardley III
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Deceased (born November 3, 1928 – died August 13, 2004, aged 75)
  • Hometown: Hollywood, California, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters)
  • Weight: 190 pounds (86 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 6 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Number: 12, 15
  • Position: Small Forward
  • High School: Newport Harbor High School (Newport Beach, California)
  • College: Stanford University and Oregon State University
  • NBA Draft: 1950 NBA Draft, 1st round (7th overall pick) by the Fort Wayne Pistons
  • Teams Played For:
    • Fort Wayne Pistons / Detroit Pistons (1953–1959)
    • Syracuse Nationals (1959–1960)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: George Yardley had six children.
  • Siblings: Information about siblings is not publicly documented.

Player Archetype / Play Style

In modern terms, George Yardley’s player archetype was an early scoring wing: a 6-foot-5, springy jump-shooting forward who demanded extra attention, carried major scoring responsibility, and paired one-handed shooting touch with unusual lift for his era. He was more of a tough positional defender than a back-line stopper, bringing a hard-nosed, physical approach on the wing while doing his best work offensively as a primary bucket-getter with a famously quick release, strong jumper, and enough explosiveness to finish above the rim. The overall play style was flashy but productive for the 1950s—part volume scorer, part athletic shotmaker—and that blend is why he became the first NBA player to reach 2,000 points in a season and still projects as one of basketball’s earliest modern-style scoring forwards. (The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame)

Fun Facts

  • George Yardley was the first player in NBA history to score over 2,000 points in a single season (1957–58).
  • He was known for his scoring ability and graceful style of play, earning him the nickname “Yardbird.”
  • Yardley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996 for his contributions to the game.

Sources:

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — George Yardley
Stanford Magazine — Hall of Famer
Los Angeles Times — George Yardley, 75; NBA Star Set Scoring Record With 2,001 Points
NBA.com — All-Time All-NBA First Team: Detroit Pistons