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{{Short description|American basketball player (1950–2023)}}
'''George F. McGinnis''' (born [[August 12]], [[1950]] in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]) is a former professional [[basketball]] player, most notably with the [[Indiana Pacers]] of the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA) (from 1971 to 1975). He was drafted into the ABA from [[Indiana University Bloomington|Indiana University]] in [[1972]]. In the 71-72 season at Indiana, McGinnis became the first sophomore to lead the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding.
{{other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = George McGinnis
| image = George McGinnis.png
|alt = McGinnis leaping up to take a shot
| width = 240
| caption = McGinnis with the [[Indiana Pacers]] during a game in the 1972–73 season versus the [[Kentucky Colonels]]
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 8
| weight_lb = 235
| birth_date = {{birth date|1950|08|12}}
| birth_place = [[Harpersville, Alabama]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|12|14|1950|08|12}}
| death_place = [[Indianapolis]], Indiana, U.S.
| high_school = [[George Washington Community High School|George Washington]]<br/>(Indianapolis, Indiana)
| college = [[Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball|Indiana]] (1970–1971)
| draft_year = 1973
| draft_round = 2
| draft_pick = 22
| draft_team = [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| career_start = 1971
| career_end = 1982
| career_position = [[Power forward]]
| career_number = 30
| years1 = [[1971–72 ABA season|1971]]–[[1974–75 ABA season|1975]]
| team1 = [[Indiana Pacers]]
| years2 = {{nbay|1975|start}}–{{nbay|1977|end}}
| team2 = [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| years3 = {{nbay|1978|start}}–{{nbay|1979|end}}
| team3 = [[Denver Nuggets]]
| years4 = {{nbay|1979|end}}–{{nbay|1981|end}}
| team4 = Indiana Pacers
| highlights =
* 3× [[NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|1976}}, {{nasg|1977}}, {{nasg|1979}})
* [[All-NBA First Team]] ({{nbay|1975|end}})
* [[All-NBA Second Team]] ({{nbay|1976|end}})
* 2× [[ABA champion]] ([[1972 ABA Playoffs|1972]], [[1973 ABA Playoffs|1973]])
* [[ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award|ABA Playoffs MVP]] (1973)
* [[ABA MVP]] ({{abay|1974|end}})
* 3× [[ABA All-Star Game|ABA All-Star]] ([[1973 ABA All-Star Game|1973]]–[[1975 ABA All-Star Game|1975]])
* 2× [[All-ABA First Team]] ([[1973–74 ABA season|1974]], [[1974–75 ABA season|1975]])
* [[All-ABA Second Team]] ({{abay|1972|end}})
* [[ABA All-Rookie First Team]] ({{abay|1971|end}})
* [[American Basketball Association#Scoring leaders|ABA scoring champion]] ({{abay|1974|end}})
* [[ABA All-Time Team]]
* No. 30 [[Indiana Pacers#Retired numbers|retired by Indiana Pacers]]
* Third-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] – [[Associated Press|AP]], [[National Association of Basketball Coaches|NABC]], [[United Press International|UPI]] ([[1971 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1971]])
* [[Mr. Basketball USA]] (1969)
* First-team [[Parade All-America Boys Basketball Team|''Parade'' All-American]] (1969)
* [[Indiana Mr. Basketball]] (1969)
| stats_league = ABA and NBA
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 17,009 (20.2 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 9,233 (11.0 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| stat3value = 3,089 (3.7 apg)
| bbr = mcginge01
| HOF_player = George-McGinnis
}}


'''George F. McGinnis''' (August 12, 1950 – December 14, 2023) was an American professional basketball player who played 11 seasons in the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA) and [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). He played [[college basketball]] for the [[Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball|Indiana Hoosiers]], earning third-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] honors in 1971, before starting his pro career in the ABA with the [[Indiana Pacers]]. A three-time [[ABA All-Star]] with the Pacers, McGinnis was named the [[ABA Most Valuable Player]] (MVP) in 1975 and won two [[List of ABA champions|ABA championship]]s with the team. He was a three-time [[NBA All-Star]] with the [[Philadelphia 76ers]]. He was named to the [[ABA All-Time Team]] and inducted into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]].
George McGinnis has been one of the marquee players of the ABA and later teamed with [[Julius Erving]] on the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] that made the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) [[NBA Finals|Finals]] in 1977. McGinnis finished out his NBA playing career with the [[Denver Nuggets]] and [[Indiana Pacers]].


==Early life==
McGinnis is one of four players (the others are [[Roger Brown]], [[Reggie Miller]], and [[Mel Daniels]]) to have his jersey (#30) retired by the Pacers.
George F. McGinnis was born in [[Harpersville, Alabama]], on August 12, 1950, but grew up in Indianapolis, where he attended [[George Washington Community High School|Washington High School]].<ref name = Araton>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/14/sports/basketball/george-mcginnis-dead.html|title = George McGinnis Dies at 73; Powered His Way to Basketball Stardom|last = Araton|first = Harvey|date = December 14, 2023|accessdate = December 14, 2023|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]|url-access = limited|archive-date = December 14, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231214200229/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/14/sports/basketball/george-mcginnis-dead.html|url-status = live}}</ref> He and teammate [[Steve Downing]] led Washington to a 31–0 record and a state championship in 1969.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/keller-mcginnis-never-topped-their-state-championships
|title=For Keller and McGinnis, Memories of Winning State Never Faded
|last=Montieth
|first=Mark
|date=January 25, 2017
|website=Pacers.com
|publisher=NBA Media Ventures
|access-date=December 23, 2018
|archive-date=December 23, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223224137/https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/keller-mcginnis-never-topped-their-state-championships
|url-status=live
}}</ref> McGinnis set an Indiana state tournament scoring record with 148 points in his final four games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siegel |first=Brett |date=August 12, 2022 |title=On This Day In NBA History: August 12 – Indiana Pacers Hall-Of-Famer Is Born |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/news/on-this-day-in-nba-history-august-12-george-mcginnis-is-born-76ers-nuggets-indiana-pacers-nba |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=Fastbreak on FanNation |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220030456/https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/news/on-this-day-in-nba-history-august-12-george-mcginnis-is-born-76ers-nuggets-indiana-pacers-nba |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also named [[Indiana Mr. Basketball|Mr. Basketball]] for the state of Indiana that year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2023 |title='The very definition of an Indiana basketball legend' {{!}} George McGinnis dies at 73 |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/sports/local-sports/indiana-basketball-legend-george-mcginnis-dead-73-pacers-iu-george-washington-high-school-nba-aba/531-6828029f-94af-494e-b05e-29b6aa88c8fc |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=[[WTHR]] |language=en-US |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223160519/https://www.wthr.com/article/sports/local-sports/indiana-basketball-legend-george-mcginnis-dead-73-pacers-iu-george-washington-high-school-nba-aba/531-6828029f-94af-494e-b05e-29b6aa88c8fc |url-status=live }}</ref>


==College career==
McGinnis attended Washington High School in Indianapolis, where in 1969 his team went unbeaten for the season and won the state championship. McGinnis set an Indiana state tournament scoring record with 148 points in his final four games. He was also named Mr. Basketball for the state of Indiana that year.
In the 1970–71 season at [[Indiana University Bloomington]], McGinnis became the first sophomore to lead the Big Ten in scoring and [[rebound (basketball)|rebounding]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Byrne |first=Matthew |date=September 23, 2023 |title=Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame Inducts Six New Members in Class of 2023 |url=https://www.si.com/college/indiana/basketball/indiana-athletics-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-2023-class |access-date=December 20, 2023 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220031933/https://www.si.com/college/indiana/basketball/indiana-athletics-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-2023-class |url-status=live }}</ref> He averaged 29.9 points per game in his lone season with the [[Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball|Hoosiers]], earning [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] and All-Big Ten Honors in 1971.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brodess |first=Doug |title=College Basketball: Top 10 Performances in Kentucky vs. Indiana History |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/975319-college-basketball-top-10-performances-in-kentucky-vs-indiana-history |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=[[Bleacher Report]] |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220031933/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/975319-college-basketball-top-10-performances-in-kentucky-vs-indiana-history |url-status=live }}</ref> He played for coach [[Lou Watson]], the year before Indiana hired [[Bob Knight]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Jared |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Indiana basketball legend George McGinnis passes away at 73: 'Rest easy Big Mac' |url=https://247sports.com/Article/indiana-basketball-legend-george-mcginnis-passes-away-73-hoosiers-pacers-mike-woodson-223078852/ |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=[[247Sports]] |language=en |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223160540/https://247sports.com/Article/indiana-basketball-legend-george-mcginnis-passes-away-73-hoosiers-pacers-mike-woodson-223078852/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Professional career==
'''His ABA and NBA achievements include''':


*Member of the 1972 and 1973 [[Indiana Pacers]] ABA championship teams.
=== Indiana Pacers (1971–1975) ===
McGinnis immediately became one of the marquee players of the ABA, playing a key role on the [[Indiana Pacers]]' championship teams in each of his first two seasons with his hometown franchise.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Mike |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Pacers release statement on Hall of Famer George McGinnis' passing |url=https://clutchpoints.com/pacers-news-indiana-releases-statement-hall-of-famer-george-mcginnis-passing |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=[[ClutchPoints]] |language=en |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223160528/https://clutchpoints.com/pacers-news-indiana-releases-statement-hall-of-famer-george-mcginnis-passing |url-status=live }}</ref> He was named the ABA Playoffs MVP in 1973, averaging 23.9 points and 12.3 rebounds in 18 playoff games to help the Pacers repeat as champs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyd |first=Herb |date=December 21, 2023 |title=Hall of Famer, George McGinnis |url=http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2023/12/21/hall-of-famer-george-mcginnis/ |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=[[New York Amsterdam News]] |language=en-US |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223032904/https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2023/12/21/hall-of-famer-george-mcginnis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His best season came in 1974–75, when McGinnis scored a career-high 29.8 points and also recorded a career-high 6.3 assists per game en route to ABA MVP honors.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Herbert |first=James |date=December 14, 2023 |title=George McGinnis dies at 73: Basketball Hall of Famer starred for Pacers, others in NBA and ABA |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/george-mcginnis-dies-at-73-basketball-hall-of-famer-starred-for-pacers-others-in-nba-and-aba/ |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=[[CBS Sports]] |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220131222/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/george-mcginnis-dies-at-73-basketball-hall-of-famer-starred-for-pacers-others-in-nba-and-aba/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 1975 ABA Playoffs, he nearly averaged a triple-double (32.3 points, 15.9 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in 18 games), but the Pacers fell short of the title, losing to Kentucky in the ABA Finals.<ref name=":2" /> However, in these playoffs, McGinnis established multiple statistical feats. Against the [[1974–75 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]] in Game 4 of the 1975 ABA Western Division Semifinals on April 12, 1975,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197504120INA.html |title=1975 ABA Western Division Semifinals Game 4: Spurs vs Pacers, April 12, 1975 {{!}} Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004233941/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197504120INA.html |url-status=live }}</ref> McGinnis recorded the first 50+ point [[Double-double#Triple-double|triple-double]] in NBA/ABA Playoff history with 51 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists,<ref name=":3" /> a feat later matched by [[Russell Westbrook]] of the [[2016–17 Oklahoma City Thunder season|Oklahoma City Thunder]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Pacers legend McGinnis dead at 73 |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/14/pacers-legend-mc-ginnis-dead-at-73 |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=[[Manila Bulletin]] |language=en |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223160523/https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/14/pacers-legend-mc-ginnis-dead-at-73 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Second Team All-ABA selection in 1973.
*3-time ABA All-Star selections ([[1973]]-[[1975]]).
*3-time All-ABA First Team selections ([[1974]]-[[1976]]).
*Selected as ABA Co-MVP, with Julius Erving in 1975.
*First Team All-NBA selection in 1976.
*Second Team All-NBA selection in 1977.
*3-time NBA All-Star selections ([[1976]]-[[1977]] and [[1979]]).


McGinnis also became the first player in NBA/ABA history to record 200+ points, 100+ rebounds, and 50+ assists in a single playoff series, which he accomplished twice in back-to-back series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marot |first=Michael |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Two-time ABA champion and Indiana Mr. Basketball winner George McGinnis dies at 73 |url=https://www.wpxi.com/sports/two-time-aba/ZDXCARAUQOB6U2JPXYE3MO6D7A/ |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=[[WPXI]] |language=en |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223160422/https://www.wpxi.com/sports/two-time-aba/ZDXCARAUQOB6U2JPXYE3MO6D7A/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In six games against the San Antonio Spurs in the 1975 ABA Western Division Semifinals, registered totals of 230 points (38.3 per game), 113 rebounds (18.8 per game), and 55 assists (9.2 per game).<ref>{{Cite web |title=1975 ABA Western Division Semifinals – Pacers vs. Spurs |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1975-aba-western-division-semifinals-pacers-vs-spurs.html |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]] |language=en |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020041548/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1975-aba-western-division-semifinals-pacers-vs-spurs.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In seven games against the [[1974–75 Denver Nuggets season|Denver Nuggets]] in the 1975 ABA Western Division Finals, McGinnis registered totals of 214 points (30.6 per game), 103 rebounds (14.7 per game), and 61 assists (8.7 per game).<ref>{{Cite web |title=1975 ABA Western Division Finals – Pacers vs. Nuggets |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1975-aba-western-division-finals-pacers-vs-nuggets.html |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]] |language=en |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416212115/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1975-aba-western-division-finals-pacers-vs-nuggets.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Giannis Antetokounmpo]] of the [[2021–22 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee Bucks]] is the only other player to replicate this, doing so in the [[2022 NBA playoffs|2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Sam |date=May 15, 2022 |title=Giannis Antetokounmpo posts historic series numbers despite Bucks' second-round loss to Celtics |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/giannis-antetokounmpo-posts-historic-series-numbers-despite-bucks-second-round-loss-to-celtics/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=cbssports.com |language=en |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019184120/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/giannis-antetokounmpo-posts-historic-series-numbers-despite-bucks-second-round-loss-to-celtics/ |url-status=live }}</ref> McGinnis became the first player in NBA/ABA history to lead the playoffs in total points (581), total rebounds (286), and total assists (148)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/ABA_1975.html |title=1975 ABA Playoffs Summary {{!}} Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019185117/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/ABA_1975.html |url-status=live }}</ref> — a feat matched only by [[Nikola Jokić]] of the [[2022–23 Denver Nuggets season|Denver Nuggets]] in the [[2023 NBA Playoffs]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jokicni01.html |title=Nikola Jokić Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more {{!}} Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-date=October 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029125725/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jokicni01.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Michael C. |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Nikola Jokic's resume after winning 2023 Finals MVP |url=https://www.nba.com/news/finals-mvp-resume-nikola-jokic-2023 |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=NBA.com |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007174801/https://www.nba.com/news/finals-mvp-resume-nikola-jokic-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
McGinnis also won the ABA scoring title in 1975.


=== Philadelphia 76ers (1975–1978) ===
{{ABAATT}}
Two years into his professional career, McGinnis was selected by the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] as the 22nd overall pick in the second round of the [[1973 NBA draft]].<ref name=":1" /> In October 1974, the 76ers were ready to send McGinnis' draft rights to the [[New York Knicks]] with the stipulation that the latter ballclub signs him before the agreed-upon deadline.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Goldaper |first=Sam |date=October 22, 1974 |title=McGinnis Slips Out of Knick Grasp Again |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/10/22/archives/mcginnis-slips-out-of-knick-grasp-again-mcginnis-slips-out-of-knick.html |access-date=December 23, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016223408/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/10/22/archives/mcginnis-slips-out-of-knick-grasp-again-mcginnis-slips-out-of-knick.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal fell through when he decided to stay with the Pacers and signed a two-year contract with an $85,000 buyout clause which was exercised following the [[1974–75 Indiana Pacers season|1974–75 season]].<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Goldaper |first=Sam |date=July 11, 1975 |title=McGinnis Signs $3.2-Million 76er Pact |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/11/archives/mcginnis-signs-32million-76er-pact-knicks-think-of-acquiring.html |access-date=December 23, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516104648/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/11/archives/mcginnis-signs-32million-76er-pact-knicks-think-of-acquiring.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Preferring to play in New York City because of its financial endorsement opportunities, McGinnis sought a preliminary injunction and restraining order against the NBA on May 23, 1975, that would have permitted him to negotiate with any of the league's 18 teams.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldaper |first=Sam |date=May 28, 1975 |title=Hearing Set On Suit by McGinnis |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/28/archives/hearing-set-on-suit-by-mcginnis-hearing-set-for-friday-on-lawsuit.html |access-date=December 23, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223160522/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/28/archives/hearing-set-on-suit-by-mcginnis-hearing-set-for-friday-on-lawsuit.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The lawsuit was dropped a week later on May 30 when he signed a six‐year $2.4 million contract with the Knicks in a challenge to the league's constitution.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldaper |first=Sam |date=May 31, 1975 |title=Knicks Sign McGinnis; 76ers Label It 'Piracy' |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/31/archives/knicks-sign-mcginnis-76ers-label-it-piracy.html |access-date=December 23, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223160547/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/31/archives/knicks-sign-mcginnis-76ers-label-it-piracy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In his first action as new NBA commissioner on June 5, [[Larry O'Brien]] disapproved the contract and ordered the Knicks to forfeit its first selection in the [[1976 NBA draft]] and reimburse the 76ers for all expenses relevant to the dispute. McGinnis signed a six‐year, $3.2 million guaranteed, no‐cut, no‐trade, no-option contract with the 76ers five weeks later on July 10, 1975.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Koppett |first=Leonard |date=June 6, 1975 |title=Knicks' Signing of McGinnis Revoked; Hawks Fined $400,000 in Erving Case |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/06/06/archives/knicks-signing-of-mcginnis-revoked-hawks-fined-400000-in-erving.html |access-date=December 23, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516104647/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/06/06/archives/knicks-signing-of-mcginnis-revoked-hawks-fined-400000-in-erving.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


McGinnis made the All-NBA First Team in his debut season with the 76ers in 1976, and was selected to two All-Star games in his three seasons with the team.<ref name=":1" /> While in Philadelphia, he teamed up with fellow ABA alumni [[Julius Erving]] and [[Caldwell Jones]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levick |first=Noah |date=May 9, 2020 |title=The 5 Best Sixers Starting 5s of All Time |url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/nba/philadelphia-76ers/the-5-best-sixers-starting-5s-of-all-time/2390491/ |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=[[NBC10 Philadelphia]] |language=en-US}}</ref> McGinnis helped propel the 76ers through the playoffs to the [[1977 NBA Finals|NBA Finals in 1977]] by averaging 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per playoff game, where they lost in six games to the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1976–77 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1977.html |access-date=December 21, 2023 |website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]] |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308130125/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1977.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Denver Nuggets (1978–1980) ===
McGinnis was traded to the [[Denver Nuggets]] in 1978 for [[Bobby Jones (basketball, born 1951)|Bobby Jones]], and was an All-Star again that season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siegel |first=Brett |date=August 16, 2022 |title=On This Day In NBA History: August 16 – Nuggets and Sixers Swap Hall-of-Famers |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/news/on-this-day-in-nba-history-august-16-denver-nuggets-philadlephia-76ers-swap-hall-of-famers-nba |access-date=December 21, 2023 |website=Fastbreak on FanNation |language=en |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221000916/https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/news/on-this-day-in-nba-history-august-16-denver-nuggets-philadlephia-76ers-swap-hall-of-famers-nba |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 9, 1980, McGinnis scored an NBA career-high 43 points (His career high in combined ABA/NBA is 58 points in the ABA), along with grabbing 12 rebounds, in a game against the [[Houston Rockets]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/george-mcginnis-career-high-points |title=George McGinnis Career High 43 Points |access-date=April 22, 2022 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308130144/https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/george-mcginnis-career-high-points |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Return to Indiana (1980–1982) ===
Hoping to boost sagging attendance in their early NBA years, the Pacers re-acquired McGinnis by trading away young forward [[Alex English]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 2, 1980 |title=Pacers Reacquire McGinnis in Nugget Deal; Good Years With Pacers |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/02/02/archives/pacers-reacquire-mcginnis-in-nugget-deal-good-years-with-pacers.html |access-date=December 20, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220211533/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/02/02/archives/pacers-reacquire-mcginnis-in-nugget-deal-good-years-with-pacers.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=George McGinnis |url=https://indianahq.com/george-mcginnis/ |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=IndianaHQ |language=en-US |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220231440/https://indianahq.com/george-mcginnis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, McGinnis was beyond his prime, averaging a comparatively low 13.1 points per game during the [[1980-81 NBA season]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/1981.html |title=1980–81 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats |access-date=April 22, 2022 |archive-date=April 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427233912/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/1981.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and was unable to help the Pacers past their first round matchup against the 76ers in the [[1981 NBA Playoffs]], only scoring ten points in the two-game series,<ref>{{Cite web |title=1981 NBA Eastern Conference First Round – Pacers vs. 76ers |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1981-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-pacers-vs-76ers.html |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]] |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220232001/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1981-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-pacers-vs-76ers.html |url-status=live }}</ref> while English went on to be a multiple time all-star and [[franchise player]] for the Nuggets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Juskewycz |first=Nick |date=August 16, 2013 |title=Ranking the Top 25 Players in Denver Nuggets History |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1735804-ranking-the-top-25-players-in-denver-nuggets-history |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=[[Bleacher Report]] |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220232001/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1735804-ranking-the-top-25-players-in-denver-nuggets-history |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Legacy==
McGinnis is one of four players (the others are [[Roger Brown (basketball, born 1942)|Roger Brown]], [[Reggie Miller]], and [[Mel Daniels]]) to have his jersey (#30) retired by the Pacers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mathur |first=Ashish |date=May 30, 2020 |title=Pacers: Every jersey number retired in franchise history |url=https://clutchpoints.com/indiana-pacers-retired-numbers |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=[[ClutchPoints]] |language=en |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220031417/https://clutchpoints.com/indiana-pacers-retired-numbers |url-status=live }}</ref> All four are also members of the [[Basketball Hall of Fame]].<ref name=":0" />

On April 1, 2017, it was announced that McGinnis was part of the 2017 class for the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]], alongside [[Tracy McGrady]], [[Bill Self]], and [[Rebecca Lobo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/19052994/tracy-mcgrady-bill-self-rebecca-lobo-headline-2017-basketball-hall-fame-class|title=McGrady, Self, Lobo headline 2017 HOF class|date=April 1, 2017|website=ESPN.com|access-date=August 12, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308131509/https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/19052994/tracy-mcgrady-bill-self-rebecca-lobo-headline-2017-basketball-hall-fame-class|url-status=live}}</ref> He was inducted on September 8.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marot |first=Michael |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Two-time ABA champion and Indiana Mr. Basketball winner George McGinnis dies at 73 |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-sports/ap-two-time-aba-champion-and-indiana-mr-basketball-winner-george-mcginnis-dies-at-73/ |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |language=en-US |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220032919/https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-sports/ap-two-time-aba-champion-and-indiana-mr-basketball-winner-george-mcginnis-dies-at-73/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
McGinnis married Lynda Dotson in 1976, and they were together until her death in 2019.<ref name = Araton/>

McGinnis's health declined in his last years, primarily due to back problems that required multiple surgeries.<ref name = Araton/> He died of heart complications at a hospital in Indianapolis, on December 14, 2023, at age 73.<ref name = Araton/><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Hall of Famer, ABA champion George McGinnis dies at 73 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39111567/hall-famer-aba-champion-george-mcginnis-dies-73 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214144445/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39111567/hall-famer-aba-champion-george-mcginnis-dies-73 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fowler |first=Ashley |date=2023-12-14 |title=Indiana Pacers legend, Washington HS hoops star George McGinnis dies at 73 |url=https://www.wishtv.com/sports/indiana-pacers/indiana-pacers-legend-washington-hs-hoops-star-george-mcginnis-dies-at-73/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Indianapolis News {{!}} Indiana Weather {{!}} Indiana Traffic {{!}} WISH-TV {{!}} |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend|leader=y}}
{|class ="wikitable"
|-
|style="background:#afe6fa; width:3em;"|†
|Denotes seasons in which McGinnis's team won an [[List of ABA champions|ABA championship]]
|-
| style="background:#E0CEF2; width:3em;" |*
|ABA record
|}

===ABA/NBA===
Source<ref name=bbr/>

====Regular season====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6fa;"|{{abay|1971}}†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1971–72 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]] (ABA)
| 73 || || 29.8 || .465 || .158 || .645 || 9.7 || 1.9 || || || 16.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6fa;"|{{abay|1972}}†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1972–73 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]] (ABA)
| '''82''' || || '''40.8''' || '''.495''' || .250 || .665 || 12.5 || 2.5 || 2.0 || || 27.6
|-
| style="text-align:left";|{{abay|1973}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1973–74 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]] (ABA)
| 80 || || '''40.8''' || .468 || .147 || .683 || '''15.0''' || 3.3 || 2.0 || .5 || 25.9
|-
| style="text-align:left";|{{abay|1974}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1974–75 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]] (ABA)
| 79 || || 40.4 || .451 || '''.354''' || .724 || 14.3 || '''6.3''' || '''2.6''' || '''.7''' || style="background:#cfecec;|'''29.8'''*
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1975}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1975–76 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 77 || 77 || 38.3 || .417 || || '''.740''' || 12.6 || 4.7 || '''2.6''' || .5 || 23.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1976}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1976–77 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 79 || '''78''' || 35.1 || .458 || || .681 || 11.5 || 3.8 || 2.1 || .5 || 21.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1977}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1977–78 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 78 || 76 || 32.5 || .463 || || .716 || 10.4 || 3.8 || 1.8 || .3 || 20.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1978}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1978–79 Denver Nuggets season|Denver]]
| 76 || || 33.6 || .474 || || .665 || 11.4 || 3.7 || 1.7 || .7 || 22.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1979}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1979–80 Denver Nuggets season|Denver]]
| 45 || || 31.6 || .459 || .143 || .541 || 10.3 || 4.9 || 1.5 || .4 || 15.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1979|nolink=y}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1979–80 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]]
| 28 || || 28.0 || .437 || .125 || .575 || 8.5 || 4.0 || 1.1 || .2 || 13.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1980}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1980–81 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]]
| 69 || || 26.7 || .453 || .000 || .538 || 7.7 || 3.0 || 1.4 || .4 || 13.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1981}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1981–82 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]]
| 76 || 4 || 17.6 || .373 || .000 || .453 || 5.2 || 2.7 || 1.3 || .4 || 4.7
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career (ABA)
| 314 || || 38.2 || .470 || .290 || .682 || 12.9 || 3.5 || 2.2 || .6 || 25.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career (NBA)
| 528 || 235 || 30.7 || .448 || .080 || .651 || 9.8 || 3.8 || 1.7 || .4 || 17.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career (overall)
| 842 || 235 || 33.5 || .458 || .273 || .664 || 11.0 || 3.7 || 1.9 || .5 || 20.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|All-Star (ABA)
| 3 || || 32.0 || .460 || .000 || .529 || 12.7 || 2.7 || 1.7 || .7 || 18.3
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|All-Star (NBA)
| 3 || 2 || 23.3 || .367 || || .471 || 6.7 || 2.3 || 3.0 || .0 || 10.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|All-Star (overall)
| 6 || 2 || 27.7 || .425 || .000 || .500 || 9.7 || 2.5 || 2.3 || .3 || 14.2
{{s-end}}

====Playoffs====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6fa;"|[[1972 ABA Playoffs|1972]]†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1971–72 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]] (ABA)
| '''20''' || || 31.7 || .406 || .267 || .627 || 11.4 || 2.6 || || || 15.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6fa;"|[[1973 ABA playoffs|1973]]†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1972–73 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]] (ABA)
| 18 || || 40.6 || .451 || .000 || .732 || 12.3 || 2.2 || || || 23.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1974 ABA playoffs|1974]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1973–74 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]] (ABA)
| 14 || || '''41.8''' || .456 || .286 || .744 || 11.9 || 3.4 || 1.1 || .4 || 24.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1975 ABA playoffs|1975]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1974–75 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]] (ABA)
| 18 || || 40.6 || .468 || '''.315''' || .688 || '''15.9''' || '''8.2''' || '''2.0''' || .6 || '''32.3'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1976 NBA playoffs|1976]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1975–76 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 3 || || 40.0 || '''.475''' || || .611 || 13.7 || 4.0 || .3 || '''1.3''' || '''23.0'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1977 NBA playoffs|1977]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1976–77 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 19 || || 31.7 || .374 || || .570 || 10.4 || 3.6 || 1.2 || .3 || 14.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1978 NBA playoffs|1978]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1977–78 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 10 || || 27.3 || .424 || || '''.837''' || 7.8 || 3.0 || 1.5 || .1 || 14.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1981 NBA playoffs|1981]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1980–81 Indiana Pacers season|Indiana]]
| 2 || || 19.5 || .200 || – || .500 || 5.0 || 3.5 || 1.0 || .0 || 5.0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career (ABA)
| 70 || || 38.3 || .449 || .290 || .695 || 12.9 || 4.1 || 1.6 || .5 || 23.7
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career (NBA)
| 34 || || 30.4 || .395 || – || .640 || 9.6 || 3.5 || 1.2 || .3 || 14.6
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career (overall)
| 104 || || 35.7 || .435 || .290 || .682 || 11.8 || 3.9 || 1.4 || .4 || 20.7
{{s-end}}

==ABA and NBA achievements==
*Member of the [[1972 ABA Playoffs|1972]] and [[1973 ABA Playoffs|1973]] [[Indiana Pacers]] ABA championship teams.<ref name=AthleticObit>[https://theathletic.com/5137026/2023/12/14/george-mcginnis-death-pacers George McGinnis, Pacers legend and ABA champion, dies at 73] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215140650/https://theathletic.com/5137026/2023/12/14/george-mcginnis-death-pacers/ |date=December 15, 2023 }}, The Athletic</ref>
*1973 [[ABA Playoffs MVP]].<ref name=AthleticObit/>
*Second Team All-ABA selection in 1973.<ref name=bbr/>
*Two All-ABA First Team selections (1974–1975).<ref name=bbr/>
*Three ABA All-Star selections (1973–1975).<ref name=bbr/>
*Selected as ABA Co-MVP, with Julius Erving, in 1975.<ref name=AthleticObit/>
*Won the ABA scoring title in 1975.<ref name=bbr/>
*Recorded 14 known triple-doubles in the ABA, including 5 playoff triple-doubles, both of which are more than anyone else during the league's lifespan.<ref name=bbr>{{Cite web|title=George McGinnis ABA/NBA Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcginge01.html|accessdate=December 15, 2023|website=[[Basketball Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|language=en|archive-date=March 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306062530/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcginge01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Led the NBA in triple-doubles with a total of 5 during the [[1975–76 NBA season|1975–76 season]], along with [[Alvan Adams]] of the [[1975–76 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]] and [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] of the [[1975–76 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/trp_dbl_season.html |title=NBA & ABA Single Season Leaders and Records for Triple-Doubles {{!}} Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101173025/https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/trp_dbl_season.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*First Team All-NBA selection in 1976.<ref name=bbr/>
*Second Team All-NBA selection in 1977.<ref name=bbr/>
*Three NBA All-Star selections (1976, 1977, and 1979).<ref name=bbr/>
*Member of the [[ABA's All-Time Team]].<ref name=bbr/>
*Number retired by Indiana Pacers.<ref name=AthleticObit/>
*Inducted into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2017/9/8/mens-basketball-mcginnis-takes-rightful-spot-in-naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame.aspx|title=McGinnis Takes Rightful Spot in Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame|website=Indiana University Athletics|access-date=August 12, 2021|archive-date=August 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812214748/https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2017/9/8/mens-basketball-mcginnis-takes-rightful-spot-in-naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Inducted into IU Athletics Hall of Fame in September 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2023 |title=McGinnis, Rink Enshrined in IU Athletics Hall of Fame |url=https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2023/9/22/mens-basketball-mcginnis-rink-enshrined-in-iu-athletics-hall-of-fame |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=iuhoosiers.com |language=en |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927193023/https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2023/9/22/mens-basketball-mcginnis-rink-enshrined-in-iu-athletics-hall-of-fame |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons cat}}
{{Basketballstats|bbr=m/mcginge01}}

{{Navboxes|list1=
{{Mr. Basketball USA}}
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{{Indiana Pacers 1972–73 ABA Champions}}
{{Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame}}
{{2017 Basketball HOF}}}}
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{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1950 births|McGinnis, George]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:McGinnis, George}}
[[Category:African American basketball players|McGinnis, George]]
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:American basketball players|McGinnis, George]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:Denver Nuggets players|McGinnis, George]]
[[Category:All-American college men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball players|McGinnis, George]]
[[Category:American men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Indiana Pacers players|McGinnis, George]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Indianapolis]]
[[Category:People from Indianapolis|McGinnis, George]]
[[Category:Centers (basketball)]]
[[Category:Living people|McGinnis, George]]
[[Category:Denver Nuggets players]]
[[Category:Philadelphia 76ers players|McGinnis, George]]
[[Category:Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Denver Nuggets players|McGinnis, George]]
[[Category:Indiana Pacers players]]
[[Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
{{1950s-US-hoops-bio-stub}}
[[Category:NBA All-Stars]]
[[Category:NBA players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball)]]
[[Category:Philadelphia 76ers draft picks]]
[[Category:Philadelphia 76ers players]]
[[Category:Power forwards]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportspeople]]

Latest revision as of 05:52, 31 July 2024

For other people named George McGinnis, see George McGinnis (disambiguation).

George McGinnis
McGinnis leaping up to take a shot
McGinnis with the Indiana Pacers during a game in the 1972–73 season versus the Kentucky Colonels
Personal information
Born(1950-08-12)August 12, 1950
Harpersville, Alabama, U.S.
DiedDecember 14, 2023(2023-12-14) (aged 73)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolGeorge Washington
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
CollegeIndiana (1970–1971)
NBA draft1973: 2nd round, 22nd overall pick
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Playing career1971–1982
PositionPower forward
Number30
Career history
1971–1975Indiana Pacers
1975–1978Philadelphia 76ers
1978–1980Denver Nuggets
1980–1982Indiana Pacers
Career highlights and awards
Career ABA and NBA statistics
Points17,009 (20.2 ppg)
Rebounds9,233 (11.0 rpg)
Assists3,089 (3.7 apg)
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Basketball Hall of Fame as player

George F. McGinnis (August 12, 1950 – December 14, 2023) was an American professional basketball player who played 11 seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers, earning third-team All-American honors in 1971, before starting his pro career in the ABA with the Indiana Pacers. A three-time ABA All-Star with the Pacers, McGinnis was named the ABA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1975 and won two ABA championships with the team. He was a three-time NBA All-Star with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was named to the ABA All-Time Team and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Early life

[edit]

George F. McGinnis was born in Harpersville, Alabama, on August 12, 1950, but grew up in Indianapolis, where he attended Washington High School.[1] He and teammate Steve Downing led Washington to a 31–0 record and a state championship in 1969.[2] McGinnis set an Indiana state tournament scoring record with 148 points in his final four games.[3] He was also named Mr. Basketball for the state of Indiana that year.[4]

College career

[edit]

In the 1970–71 season at Indiana University Bloomington, McGinnis became the first sophomore to lead the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding.[5] He averaged 29.9 points per game in his lone season with the Hoosiers, earning All-American and All-Big Ten Honors in 1971.[6] He played for coach Lou Watson, the year before Indiana hired Bob Knight.[7]

Professional career

[edit]

Indiana Pacers (1971–1975)

[edit]

McGinnis immediately became one of the marquee players of the ABA, playing a key role on the Indiana Pacers' championship teams in each of his first two seasons with his hometown franchise.[8] He was named the ABA Playoffs MVP in 1973, averaging 23.9 points and 12.3 rebounds in 18 playoff games to help the Pacers repeat as champs.[9] His best season came in 1974–75, when McGinnis scored a career-high 29.8 points and also recorded a career-high 6.3 assists per game en route to ABA MVP honors.[10] In the 1975 ABA Playoffs, he nearly averaged a triple-double (32.3 points, 15.9 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in 18 games), but the Pacers fell short of the title, losing to Kentucky in the ABA Finals.[8] However, in these playoffs, McGinnis established multiple statistical feats. Against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the 1975 ABA Western Division Semifinals on April 12, 1975,[11] McGinnis recorded the first 50+ point triple-double in NBA/ABA Playoff history with 51 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists,[10] a feat later matched by Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017.[12]

McGinnis also became the first player in NBA/ABA history to record 200+ points, 100+ rebounds, and 50+ assists in a single playoff series, which he accomplished twice in back-to-back series.[13] In six games against the San Antonio Spurs in the 1975 ABA Western Division Semifinals, registered totals of 230 points (38.3 per game), 113 rebounds (18.8 per game), and 55 assists (9.2 per game).[14] In seven games against the Denver Nuggets in the 1975 ABA Western Division Finals, McGinnis registered totals of 214 points (30.6 per game), 103 rebounds (14.7 per game), and 61 assists (8.7 per game).[15] Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is the only other player to replicate this, doing so in the 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals.[16] McGinnis became the first player in NBA/ABA history to lead the playoffs in total points (581), total rebounds (286), and total assists (148)[17] — a feat matched only by Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.[18][19]

Philadelphia 76ers (1975–1978)

[edit]

Two years into his professional career, McGinnis was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the 22nd overall pick in the second round of the 1973 NBA draft.[20] In October 1974, the 76ers were ready to send McGinnis' draft rights to the New York Knicks with the stipulation that the latter ballclub signs him before the agreed-upon deadline.[21] The deal fell through when he decided to stay with the Pacers and signed a two-year contract with an $85,000 buyout clause which was exercised following the 1974–75 season.[21][22] Preferring to play in New York City because of its financial endorsement opportunities, McGinnis sought a preliminary injunction and restraining order against the NBA on May 23, 1975, that would have permitted him to negotiate with any of the league's 18 teams.[23] The lawsuit was dropped a week later on May 30 when he signed a six‐year $2.4 million contract with the Knicks in a challenge to the league's constitution.[24] In his first action as new NBA commissioner on June 5, Larry O'Brien disapproved the contract and ordered the Knicks to forfeit its first selection in the 1976 NBA draft and reimburse the 76ers for all expenses relevant to the dispute. McGinnis signed a six‐year, $3.2 million guaranteed, no‐cut, no‐trade, no-option contract with the 76ers five weeks later on July 10, 1975.[22][25]

McGinnis made the All-NBA First Team in his debut season with the 76ers in 1976, and was selected to two All-Star games in his three seasons with the team.[20] While in Philadelphia, he teamed up with fellow ABA alumni Julius Erving and Caldwell Jones.[26] McGinnis helped propel the 76ers through the playoffs to the NBA Finals in 1977 by averaging 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per playoff game, where they lost in six games to the Portland Trail Blazers.[27]

Denver Nuggets (1978–1980)

[edit]

McGinnis was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 1978 for Bobby Jones, and was an All-Star again that season.[28] On January 9, 1980, McGinnis scored an NBA career-high 43 points (His career high in combined ABA/NBA is 58 points in the ABA), along with grabbing 12 rebounds, in a game against the Houston Rockets.[29]

Return to Indiana (1980–1982)

[edit]

Hoping to boost sagging attendance in their early NBA years, the Pacers re-acquired McGinnis by trading away young forward Alex English.[30][20] However, McGinnis was beyond his prime, averaging a comparatively low 13.1 points per game during the 1980-81 NBA season,[31] and was unable to help the Pacers past their first round matchup against the 76ers in the 1981 NBA Playoffs, only scoring ten points in the two-game series,[32] while English went on to be a multiple time all-star and franchise player for the Nuggets.[33]

Legacy

[edit]

McGinnis is one of four players (the others are Roger Brown, Reggie Miller, and Mel Daniels) to have his jersey (#30) retired by the Pacers.[34] All four are also members of the Basketball Hall of Fame.[34]

On April 1, 2017, it was announced that McGinnis was part of the 2017 class for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, alongside Tracy McGrady, Bill Self, and Rebecca Lobo.[35] He was inducted on September 8.[36]

Personal life

[edit]

McGinnis married Lynda Dotson in 1976, and they were together until her death in 2019.[1]

McGinnis's health declined in his last years, primarily due to back problems that required multiple surgeries.[1] He died of heart complications at a hospital in Indianapolis, on December 14, 2023, at age 73.[1][37][38]

Career statistics

[edit]
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
 *  Led the league
† Denotes seasons in which McGinnis's team won an ABA championship
* ABA record

ABA/NBA

[edit]

Source[39]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1971–72† Indiana (ABA) 73 29.8 .465 .158 .645 9.7 1.9 16.5
1972–73† Indiana (ABA) 82 40.8 .495 .250 .665 12.5 2.5 2.0 27.6
1973–74 Indiana (ABA) 80 40.8 .468 .147 .683 15.0 3.3 2.0 .5 25.9
1974–75 Indiana (ABA) 79 40.4 .451 .354 .724 14.3 6.3 2.6 .7 29.8*
1975–76 Philadelphia 77 77 38.3 .417 .740 12.6 4.7 2.6 .5 23.0
1976–77 Philadelphia 79 78 35.1 .458 .681 11.5 3.8 2.1 .5 21.4
1977–78 Philadelphia 78 76 32.5 .463 .716 10.4 3.8 1.8 .3 20.3
1978–79 Denver 76 33.6 .474 .665 11.4 3.7 1.7 .7 22.6
1979–80 Denver 45 31.6 .459 .143 .541 10.3 4.9 1.5 .4 15.6
1979–80 Indiana 28 28.0 .437 .125 .575 8.5 4.0 1.1 .2 13.2
1980–81 Indiana 69 26.7 .453 .000 .538 7.7 3.0 1.4 .4 13.1
1981–82 Indiana 76 4 17.6 .373 .000 .453 5.2 2.7 1.3 .4 4.7
Career (ABA) 314 38.2 .470 .290 .682 12.9 3.5 2.2 .6 25.2
Career (NBA) 528 235 30.7 .448 .080 .651 9.8 3.8 1.7 .4 17.2
Career (overall) 842 235 33.5 .458 .273 .664 11.0 3.7 1.9 .5 20.2
All-Star (ABA) 3 32.0 .460 .000 .529 12.7 2.7 1.7 .7 18.3
All-Star (NBA) 3 2 23.3 .367 .471 6.7 2.3 3.0 .0 10.0
All-Star (overall) 6 2 27.7 .425 .000 .500 9.7 2.5 2.3 .3 14.2

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1972† Indiana (ABA) 20 31.7 .406 .267 .627 11.4 2.6 15.5
1973† Indiana (ABA) 18 40.6 .451 .000 .732 12.3 2.2 23.9
1974 Indiana (ABA) 14 41.8 .456 .286 .744 11.9 3.4 1.1 .4 24.0
1975 Indiana (ABA) 18 40.6 .468 .315 .688 15.9 8.2 2.0 .6 32.3
1976 Philadelphia 3 40.0 .475 .611 13.7 4.0 .3 1.3 23.0
1977 Philadelphia 19 31.7 .374 .570 10.4 3.6 1.2 .3 14.2
1978 Philadelphia 10 27.3 .424 .837 7.8 3.0 1.5 .1 14.7
1981 Indiana 2 19.5 .200 – .500 5.0 3.5 1.0 .0 5.0
Career (ABA) 70 38.3 .449 .290 .695 12.9 4.1 1.6 .5 23.7
Career (NBA) 34 30.4 .395 – .640 9.6 3.5 1.2 .3 14.6
Career (overall) 104 35.7 .435 .290 .682 11.8 3.9 1.4 .4 20.7

ABA and NBA achievements

[edit]
  • Member of the 1972 and 1973 Indiana Pacers ABA championship teams.[40]
  • 1973 ABA Playoffs MVP.[40]
  • Second Team All-ABA selection in 1973.[39]
  • Two All-ABA First Team selections (1974–1975).[39]
  • Three ABA All-Star selections (1973–1975).[39]
  • Selected as ABA Co-MVP, with Julius Erving, in 1975.[40]
  • Won the ABA scoring title in 1975.[39]
  • Recorded 14 known triple-doubles in the ABA, including 5 playoff triple-doubles, both of which are more than anyone else during the league's lifespan.[39]
  • Led the NBA in triple-doubles with a total of 5 during the 1975–76 season, along with Alvan Adams of the Phoenix Suns and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers.[41]
  • First Team All-NBA selection in 1976.[39]
  • Second Team All-NBA selection in 1977.[39]
  • Three NBA All-Star selections (1976, 1977, and 1979).[39]
  • Member of the ABA's All-Time Team.[39]
  • Number retired by Indiana Pacers.[40]
  • Inducted into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2017.[42]
  • Inducted into IU Athletics Hall of Fame in September 2023.[43]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Araton, Harvey (December 14, 2023). "George McGinnis Dies at 73; Powered His Way to Basketball Stardom". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  2. ^ Montieth, Mark (January 25, 2017). "For Keller and McGinnis, Memories of Winning State Never Faded". Pacers.com. NBA Media Ventures. Archived from the original on December 23, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  3. ^ Siegel, Brett (August 12, 2022). "On This Day In NBA History: August 12 – Indiana Pacers Hall-Of-Famer Is Born". Fastbreak on FanNation. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "'The very definition of an Indiana basketball legend' | George McGinnis dies at 73". WTHR. December 14, 2023. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Byrne, Matthew (September 23, 2023). "Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame Inducts Six New Members in Class of 2023". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  6. ^ Brodess, Doug. "College Basketball: Top 10 Performances in Kentucky vs. Indiana History". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  7. ^ Kelly, Jared (December 14, 2023). "Indiana basketball legend George McGinnis passes away at 73: 'Rest easy Big Mac'". 247Sports. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Cruz, Mike (December 14, 2023). "Pacers release statement on Hall of Famer George McGinnis' passing". ClutchPoints. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  9. ^ Boyd, Herb (December 21, 2023). "Hall of Famer, George McGinnis". New York Amsterdam News. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Herbert, James (December 14, 2023). "George McGinnis dies at 73: Basketball Hall of Famer starred for Pacers, others in NBA and ABA". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  11. ^ "1975 ABA Western Division Semifinals Game 4: Spurs vs Pacers, April 12, 1975 | Basketball-Reference.com". Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  12. ^ "Pacers legend McGinnis dead at 73". Manila Bulletin. December 14, 2023. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  13. ^ Marot, Michael (December 14, 2023). "Two-time ABA champion and Indiana Mr. Basketball winner George McGinnis dies at 73". WPXI. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  14. ^ "1975 ABA Western Division Semifinals – Pacers vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  15. ^ "1975 ABA Western Division Finals – Pacers vs. Nuggets". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  16. ^ Quinn, Sam (May 15, 2022). "Giannis Antetokounmpo posts historic series numbers despite Bucks' second-round loss to Celtics". cbssports.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  17. ^ "1975 ABA Playoffs Summary | Basketball-Reference.com". Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  18. ^ "Nikola Jokić Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com". Archived from the original on October 29, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  19. ^ Wright, Michael C. (June 13, 2023). "Nikola Jokic's resume after winning 2023 Finals MVP". NBA.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  20. ^ a b c "George McGinnis". IndianaHQ. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  21. ^ a b Goldaper, Sam (October 22, 1974). "McGinnis Slips Out of Knick Grasp Again". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  22. ^ a b Goldaper, Sam (July 11, 1975). "McGinnis Signs $3.2-Million 76er Pact". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  23. ^ Goldaper, Sam (May 28, 1975). "Hearing Set On Suit by McGinnis". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  24. ^ Goldaper, Sam (May 31, 1975). "Knicks Sign McGinnis; 76ers Label It 'Piracy'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  25. ^ Koppett, Leonard (June 6, 1975). "Knicks' Signing of McGinnis Revoked; Hawks Fined $400,000 in Erving Case". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  26. ^ Levick, Noah (May 9, 2020). "The 5 Best Sixers Starting 5s of All Time". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  27. ^ "1976–77 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  28. ^ Siegel, Brett (August 16, 2022). "On This Day In NBA History: August 16 – Nuggets and Sixers Swap Hall-of-Famers". Fastbreak on FanNation. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  29. ^ "George McGinnis Career High 43 Points". Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  30. ^ "Pacers Reacquire McGinnis in Nugget Deal; Good Years With Pacers". The New York Times. February 2, 1980. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  31. ^ "1980–81 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats". Archived from the original on April 27, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  32. ^ "1981 NBA Eastern Conference First Round – Pacers vs. 76ers". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  33. ^ Juskewycz, Nick (August 16, 2013). "Ranking the Top 25 Players in Denver Nuggets History". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  34. ^ a b Mathur, Ashish (May 30, 2020). "Pacers: Every jersey number retired in franchise history". ClutchPoints. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "McGrady, Self, Lobo headline 2017 HOF class". ESPN.com. April 1, 2017. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  36. ^ Marot, Michael (December 14, 2023). "Two-time ABA champion and Indiana Mr. Basketball winner George McGinnis dies at 73". The Hill. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  37. ^ "Hall of Famer, ABA champion George McGinnis dies at 73". ESPN.com. December 14, 2023. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  38. ^ Fowler, Ashley (December 14, 2023). "Indiana Pacers legend, Washington HS hoops star George McGinnis dies at 73". Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic | WISH-TV |. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "George McGinnis ABA/NBA Stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 6, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  40. ^ a b c d George McGinnis, Pacers legend and ABA champion, dies at 73 Archived December 15, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, The Athletic
  41. ^ "NBA & ABA Single Season Leaders and Records for Triple-Doubles | Basketball-Reference.com". Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  42. ^ "McGinnis Takes Rightful Spot in Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame". Indiana University Athletics. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  43. ^ "McGinnis, Rink Enshrined in IU Athletics Hall of Fame". iuhoosiers.com. September 22, 2023. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
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