Charley Yelverton Inducted in 2012
Charlie Yelverton
Charlie Yelverton attended the now-defunct Rice High School in New York City. Yelverton played with the Fordham Rams, from 1968-1971. He won the Haggerty Award in 1971 and was also a UPI All-American Third Team selection in (1971). Fordham retired Yelverton's jersey number 34 in 2023.
Professionally, Yelverton was drafted 25th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers, in the 1971 NBA draft, but only appeared in one NBA season. During a game on February 1, 1972, Yelverton did not participate in pre-game warmups and sat on the bench during the singing of the US national anthem. The Oregonian news reported his actions were in protest of Portland's release of Willie McCarter. But Yelverton told the New York Post in 2016 his protest was in response to the Vietnam War and capitalism.
Yelverton played for Portland Trail Blazers (1971-1972), Scranton Apollos (1972), Olympiacos (1972-1973), Ignis Varese (1974-1975), Brescia (1975-1976), Mobilgirgi/Emerson Varese (1977-1979), Viganello (1979-1980), and Robur BasketSaronno (1980-1987). Career highlights, EuroLeague champion (1975), Third-team All-American – UPI (1971), Haggerty Award winner (1971), and No. 34 retired by Fordham Rams.
Professionally, Yelverton was drafted 25th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers, in the 1971 NBA draft, but only appeared in one NBA season. During a game on February 1, 1972, Yelverton did not participate in pre-game warmups and sat on the bench during the singing of the US national anthem. The Oregonian news reported his actions were in protest of Portland's release of Willie McCarter. But Yelverton told the New York Post in 2016 his protest was in response to the Vietnam War and capitalism.
Yelverton played for Portland Trail Blazers (1971-1972), Scranton Apollos (1972), Olympiacos (1972-1973), Ignis Varese (1974-1975), Brescia (1975-1976), Mobilgirgi/Emerson Varese (1977-1979), Viganello (1979-1980), and Robur BasketSaronno (1980-1987). Career highlights, EuroLeague champion (1975), Third-team All-American – UPI (1971), Haggerty Award winner (1971), and No. 34 retired by Fordham Rams.