Rich Yonakor

Rich Yonakor
Yonakor as a freshman at UNC
Personal information
Born(1958-10-03)October 3, 1958
Euclid, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMarch 3, 2022(2022-03-03) (aged 63)
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High schoolEuclid (Euclid, Ohio)
CollegeNorth Carolina (1976–1980)
NBA draft1980: 3rd round, 61st overall pick
Drafted bySan Antonio Spurs
PositionPower forward
Number43
Career history
1980–1981Bartolini Brindisi
1981Rochester Zeniths
1981–1982Montana Golden Nuggets
1982San Antonio Spurs
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Basketball Reference 

Richard Robert Yonakor (October 3, 1958 – March 3, 2022) was an American basketball player. He played one season for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Yonakor, a 6'9" forward/center from Euclid, Ohio, played collegiately at the University of North Carolina from 1976 to 1980 where he averaged 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for his career.

Despite his modest college statistics, Yonakor was drafted in the third round of the 1980 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. After playing a season in Italy for Bartolini Brindisi, Yonakor made his NBA debut on March 8, 1982. He appeared in 10 games, averaging 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in his only NBA season.[1] He also played in the Continental Basketball Association for the Rochester Zeniths and Montana Golden Nuggets.[2]

Rich was the son of former NFL football player John Yonakor.

Rich Yonakor died on March 3, 2022.[3]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Source[1]

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1981–82 San Antonio 10 0 7.0 .538 – .714 2.7 .3 .1 .2 3.3

Playoffs

Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1982 San Antonio 2 2.0 .500 – – .5 .5 .5 .0 1.0

References

  1. ^ a b "Rich Yonakor NBA stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  2. ^ 1982-83 CBA Official Guide, page 90
  3. ^ Chansky, Art (May 18, 2022). "Chansky's Notebook: Mr. 'Air-Ball!'". Chapelboro. Retrieved December 16, 2025.


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