The basketball community lost a legend this Thursday morning in George McGinnis. The two-time ABA champion passed away at the age of 73.
McGinnis played for the Pacers, 76ers and Nuggets over the course of his professional career. Most of his success took place in Indiana.
In addition to winning multiple championships with the Pacers, McGinnis earned All-ABA First Team honors twice. He also had his No. 30 jersey retired by the Pacers.
The Simon family released a statement on McGinnis and the impact he had on the Pacers.
“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,” the statement read. “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 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.”
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Hall of Famer George McGinnis.
“[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.”https://t.co/EKs4rs4Ljb pic.twitter.com/UDPSl1fgm9
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 14, 2023
McGinnis, who was a star for the Hoosiers from 1970-1971, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
Our thoughts are with the McGinnis family.