He was the first player in NBA history to score 2,000 points in one season, breaking the 1,932-point record held by George Mikan.

[1] Described as a "flamboyant"[1] and "gregarious" player who "never did anything without flair",[2] Yardley had a stellar 7-year career, making the NBA All-Star team every year except for his rookie season.

Paired with fellow all-star Larry Foust, Yardley led the Fort Wayne Pistons to two NBA Finals before the team moved to Detroit in 1957.

[3] Following a sixth All-Star selection the following season in 1959–1960, in which he averaged 20.2 points per game, he retired from basketball at the age of 31.

Although Alex Groza had a 21.7 PPG average in his final NBA season in 1951, his career ended as a result of a lifelong ban, instead of a voluntary retirement like that of Yardley's.