Hall of Famer, Pacers legend George McGinnis dies at 73 – NBA.com

McGinnis made a combined 6 All-Star appearances in the NBA and ABA.
Official release
GameTime honors the memory of Hall of Fame forward George McGinnis, an Indiana basketball legend and ABA champion. He died age 73.
Indiana Pacers great George McGinnis, the 1969 Indiana Mr. Basketball who went on to a professional career that culminated in his enshrinement in the Naismith Hall of Fame, passed away early Thursday morning. He was 73.
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 starred on an unbeaten Indianapolis Washington High School team that won the 1969 state championship, led the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore at Indiana University, then helped guide the Pacers to two of their three American Basketball Association championships. He was the ABA’s co-most valuable player (with Julius Erving) in the 1974-75 season. McGinnis then moved on to the Philadelphia 76ers in the National Basketball Association, where he was twice named an All-Star. He later played for the Denver Nuggets before returning to the Indiana Pacers, closing his 11-year professional career in 1982.
He is one of four Pacers (Roger Brown, Mel Daniels and Reggie Miller being the others) to have his Pacers jersey – No. 30 – retired. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2017.
Remembering George McGinnis:
▪️ Indiana Mr. Basketball
▪️ IU All-American
▪️ 2x ABA Champion
▪️ 3x ABA All-Star
▪️ 3x NBA All-Star
▪️ Hall of Famer
Legend 💙 pic.twitter.com/4zviz4HIdo
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 14, 2023

The NBA mourns the passing of Naismith Hall of Famer and Indiana basketball icon George McGinnis, a two-time ABA champion with the Indiana Pacers, an ABA MVP and a three-time NBA All-Star. We extend our deepest condolences to the McGinnis family. pic.twitter.com/fFyTfE3Hc8
— NBA (@NBA) December 14, 2023

At 6-8, 235 pounds, McGinnis defined the position of “power” forward but also was a tremendous rebounder, floor leader and teammate. In the 1975 ABA playoffs, for example, he averaged 32.3 points, 15.9 rebounds and 8.2 assists.
As 1969 Mr. Basketball, he was best known for his 53-point, 30-point rebound performance in the Indiana All-Stars’ victory over Kentucky in Louisville’s Freedom Hall.
Although plagued by severe back issues in later life, McGinnis was affable, approachable and immensely loyal to his friends, former teammates and former Pacers coach Bobby “Slick” Leonard.  He also was a successful businessman, forming and running GM Supply, a wholesale industrial supply firm.
The son of Willie and Burnie McGinnis, George married his high school sweetheart, Lynda, who passed in 2019. He is survived by his sister, Bonnie.
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.
Take a look back at every induction class for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Forward made six All-Star appearances during 11 seasons in ABA, NBA
After dramatic In-Season Tournament runs, will the Lakers or Pacers become the first team to lift the NBA Cup?
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman tracks which players are rising and falling the most in his latest mock draft for 2024.
Take a look back at every induction class for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Forward made six All-Star appearances during 11 seasons in ABA, NBA
After dramatic In-Season Tournament runs, will the Lakers or Pacers become the first team to lift the NBA Cup?
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman tracks which players are rising and falling the most in his latest mock draft for 2024.
Beginning Monday, Dec. 18, NBA ID members can receive many exclusive rewards. Check it out.
The rookie phenom shows some holiday spirit as the Spurs get their 1st victory in 43 days.
In 2005, Kobe Bryant outscores Mavs 62-61 through 3 quarters; In 2017, the Lakers retire Bryant's No. 8 and 24 jerseys.
Stephen Curry becomes the 1st player to make 3,500 3-pointers, while Klay Thompson moves into 9th place on the all-time 3s leaderboard.
Heat swingman delivers his 2nd buzzer-beater since coming to Miami via sign-and-trade in 2019.
The Hall of Famer and 6-time NBA MVP was injured while attending a show in Los Angeles and taken to the hospital.
If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page.
NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLC’s Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network

source