INDIANAPOLIS — George McGinnis, who excelled on the hardcourt at all levels in the state of Indiana, has died. He was 73 years old.
The Indiana Pacers confirmed his passing Thursday morning on social media.
"[George] 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," the team wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
McGinnis led George Washington High School to the state basketball championship in 1969, earning Mr. Basketball honors in the state, as well as being named Mr. Basketball USA.
He then played one season of varsity basketball at Indiana University. That season, he led the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding, averaging 29.9 points and 14.7 rebounds as a sophomore in 1970-71.
He left Bloomington with two years of eligibility remaining, due to hardship, and signed with the Pacers, who then played in the American Basketball Association. He led the Pacers to two ABA championships while playing four years under coach Bobby "Slick" Leonard and was named co-MVP with Julius Irving after the 1974-75 season.
He moved to the NBA in 1976, playing seven years in the league, scoring more than 17,000 points in his 11 seasons of professional basketball.
McGinnis was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017, the seventh person with IU basketball connections named to the hall.
This fall, McGinnis was inducted into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame.
McGinnis is one of four Pacers — Roger Brown, Mel Daniels and Reggie Miller — to have his Pacers jersey (No. 30) retired.
According to the Pacers, McGinnis' burial will be private, but a celebration of life will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse after the first of the year. Details will be announced at a later time.
McGinnis married his high school sweetheart, Lynda, who died in 2019. His parents, Willie and Burnie McGinnis, preceded him in death. McGinnis is survived by his sister, Bonnie.
The Simon Family and Pacers Sports & Entertainment issued the following statement:
"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."
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett issued the following statement:
"This morning, Indianapolis lost a hometown hero. From the gyms of IPS George Washington High School and Indiana University, to playing for our very own Indiana Pacers, Hall of Famer George McGinnis was an American icon and basketball legend. On behalf of the City of Indianapolis, I would like to express our gratitude for George's service as an ambassador for our city and the Hoosier state. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fans. May the legacy of George McGinnis forever live on."