John Marley is best remembered as the first seven-footer to grace the AC basketball roster, having come to Wilson from Franklinville High School in the fall of 1953.

Marley, an all-state selection in baseball and basketball during high school, concentrated on basketball in college after signing to play for Jack McComas.

Marley was the center on AC’s North State Conference championship team in 1955. That team also won the district title and advanced to the NAIA National Championship in Kansas City, MO., where it upset Evansville, Ind. in the opening round before losing in round two.

Marley was a national rebounding leader during 1955, made all-conference and all-district, and was also an all-Carolinas Conference tournament selection.

Marley held the school record for points in a single game for a number of years, having scored 47. That record stood until Cliff Black, ’72, also a member of the Hall, broke it with a 52-point performance.

Marley has been with the Montgomery County school district of Maryland for 24 years, serving as a guidance counselor and a coach. He completed a master’s program in guidance and counseling at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Marley is the father of four children; Lynda, John, Jr., Lisa, and Tom.