Tony Lavelli

Anthony Lavelli, Jr.


Born:
July 11, 1926
Somerville, MA

Died:
January 8, 1998
Laconia, NH


Career
Somerville High School - Massachusetts (High School)
Williston Academy - Massachusetts (High School)
1945-46 Yale University (College)
1946-47 Yale University (College)
1947-48 Yale University (College)
1948-49 Yale University (College)
1949-50 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1949-50 College All-Stars (Independent)
1950-51 New York Knicks (NBA)
1950-51 College All-Stars (Independent)
1951-52 College All-Stars (Independent)

Lavelli was a talented accordion player who also managed to set the collegiate career scoring record while at Yale. Music was his first love, but he signed with the Celtics after being assured he could also play music at halftime of home games for an extra $125 a game. After one year with the Celtics, he signed with the Knicks so he could also attend Julliard. He played a few years with the Globetrotters' touring opponents and afterwards left basketball altogether in order to concentrate on music and being an entertainer.

Lavelli never married and died of a heart attack in his home in 1998.

"Somerville Is My Hometown" by Tony Lavelli

Source:
NY Times Obituary
The Celtics Music Man, Sports Illustrated

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lavelto01.html
www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lavelto01