Hall of Fame Basketball Player George McGinnis Dies at 73

George McGinnis had one of the best single seasons in Indiana program history before enjoying a Hall of Fame career in the ABA and NBA. Most recently, he was inducted into the Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Legendary Indiana basketball player George McGinnis died Thursday at age 73. 

According to a release from NBA.com, McGinnis succumbed to complications from a cardiac arrest suffered last week at his home. He was taken to Community North Hospital where family, friends and former teammates maintained a vigil of support until his passing.

McGinnis was inducted into the Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023, and he's been a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame since 2017.

He attended Washington High School in Indianapolis, Ind., where he won a state championship with an undefeated record and was named 1969 Indiana Mr. Basketball. 

McGinnis played just one season for the Hoosiers in 1970-71 under coach Lou Watson, but it remains one of the best single-season performances in program history over 50 years later. 

The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 29.9 points, good for the highest single-season and career average in program history. Across 24 games, he scored 719 total points, which ranks sixth on Indiana's single-season scoring list. McGinnis also ranks third in single-season rebounds with 352 and fourth in single-season rebounds per game with 14.7.

Indiana coach Mike Woodson shared a few words on McGinnis' legacy.

“I loved George McGinnis,” Woodson said. “He meant so much not only to IU and the state of Indiana, but to the entire basketball world. I looked up to George growing up in Indianapolis. He meant so much to me as a player and more importantly as a man. George was a Hall of Famer on and off the court, and I am going to miss him so much. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McGinnis family, his friends, and his teammates. Rest easy Big Mac.”

Following a brief college career, McGinnis played for the Indiana Pacers, a member of the ABA at the time. He won two ABA championships, was a three-time ABA All-Star, and averaged 29.8 points to win the scoring title in 1974-75.

Indiana Pacers forward George McGinnis (30) against the New York Nets during an ABA game / Malcolm Emmons - USA TODAY Sports

McGinnis would go on to play for the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets before returning to the Indiana Pacers, where he finished his career in 1981-82. Across his 11-year professional career, McGinnis was a six-time All-Star, two-time champion and one-time MVP. 

The Pacers retired his No. 30 jersey, and he was named to the ABA All-Time Team in 1997. 

Here's a statement from the Simon Family and Pacers Sports & Entertainment:

“From his all-state high school days to his time as an IU All-American and, of course, to his legendary ABA championship runs with the Pacers, George McGinnis shaped so many of the fondest basketball memories for generations of Hoosiers. He was the very definition of an Indiana basketball legend, a champion, and Hall of Fame athlete. But he was more than that. George was family. A passionate advocate for his fellow ABA players and a present, smiling face around the franchise, George has been as synonymous with our Pacers franchise as anyone. He will be greatly missed, and all of us at Pacers Sports & Entertainment will keep George and his family in our prayers.”

The burial will be private but a celebration of life will take place in Gainbridge Fieldhouse after the first of the year. Details to be announced.

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