The Detroit Pistons announced today that the club will honor George Yardley during Sunday’s home game vs. Chicago at The Palace of Auburn Hills. That day, March 9, 2008, marks the 50th anniversary of Yardley’s historic 2,000-point season. He scored 26 points against the Syracuse Nationals to become the first player in NBA history to tally 2,000 points in a season on March 9, 1958.
Palace Sports and Entertainment and Pistons President, Tom Wilson, will present a special plaque to Yardley’s son, Rob, during the first quarter of Sunday’s game.
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996, the six-time all-star averaged 19.2 points per game over seven seasons with Fort Wayne, Detroit and Syracuse. Yardley was the first player in NBA history to score 2,000 points in one season, averaging 27.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in 1957-58. He earned All-NBA First-Team honors and set NBA records in free throws made (655) and attempted (808) that season. He averaged 20.3 points per game in 46 playoff contests during his career and led Fort Wayne to two NBA Finals appearances.
