Basketball Hall of Famer, Pacers Great George McGinnis Dies at 73

He was surrounded by family and friends in his final days.

Pacers legend and Hall of Famer George McGinnis died Thursday morning, the NBA announced. He was 73 years old. 

McGinnis died from complications from a cardiac arrest suffered last week at his home. He was taken to Community North Hospital in Indianapolis where family, friends and former teammates maintained a vigil of support until his passing, per the league. 

McGinnis was an Indiana boy through and through. He led an unbeaten Indianapolis Washington High School team that won the 1969 state championship before attending Indiana University, where he led the Big Ten in both scoring and rebounding as a sophomore. He went on to join the ABA’s Pacers in 1971, with whom he spent the first four years of his career.

George McGinnis helped lead the Indiana Pacers to two ABA championships :: Malcolm Emmons/USA TODAY Sports

He crossed over to the NBA in stops with the 76ers and Nuggets before concluding his career with Indiana after the Pacers joined the NBA. He retired in 1982. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 thanks to his accolades that include two ABA championships and six All-Star selections (three ABA, three NBA). 

The burial will be private, but a celebration of life will take place in Gainbridge Fieldhouse sometime after Jan. 1.