A great athlete, the 6-ft, 8-inch, 235-pound George McGinnis starred in both basketball and football at George Washington High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Recruited by over 300 colleges for his football abilities, the young George McGinnis, who averaged 32.5 points per game in high school was undecided which college he would attend. When his father, Burnie, a carpenter who was 6' 7", was killed when he fell off a scaffold, the young George McGinnis went into depression. His mom, Willie, 5' 10", convinced him to attend Indiana U as his father had hoped he would.
George McGinnis chose Indiana University on a basketball scholarship. As a sophomore with the Hoosiers he led the Big Ten Conference in scoring with a robust 29.9 points per game. Leaving college after his second year, he inked a contract with the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association, ABA, for a $45,000 bonus, a $50,000 per/yr salary plus enough money to buy three autos.
A muscular and very limber forward, George McGinnis went after a ball like it was his prize possession. He led the ABA 3 straight seasons in turnovers caused while leading the Pacers to the ABA postseason playoffs, 1972-73 thru 1974-75, and led the National Basketball Association, NBA, once while playing for the Denver Nuggets in 1978-79.
Opposing players fouled McGinnis constantly to keep him from shooting field goals. He led the ABA once with 545 free throws made and three consecutive years in FTA, 1972-1975.
George played in eight postseason playoffs, scoring 2153 points, grabbed 1228 rebounds, 404 assists, 93 steals in 104 games. In his second ABA season he was chosen the 1972 ABA Playoff MVP when he helped the Indiana Pacers win the Championship.
In 1974-1975 George McGinnis set unbroken 20th century Indiana Pacers records in the following categories - 58 points in one game, 37 rebounds in a game, and 29.8 points per game for the regular season. For his splendid efforts he shared the 1974-75 ABA MVP Award with Julius Erving. From his second professional season, 1972-73 thru 1978-79 he averaged over 20 ppg (7 seasons).
After playing a very solid role for three seasons in the 76ers successes, Philadelphia traded George McGinnis to the Denver Nuggets for forward Bobby Jones. For Denver McGinnis had two fine seasons before being traded to the Indiana Pacers, who were in the NBA during this time-frame. George played 11 pro seasons and compiled 2765 turnovers created before retiring at age 31.
George McGinnis regular season stats: 17009 points in 842 games, 6381 FGM in 13949 FGA, a .458 pct., 4164 FTM in 6267 FTA, .664 pct, 3143 ORB, 6090 DFR, 9233 Total Rebounds, 3089 assists, 3220 fouls, 1448 steals, 332 blocks, 2765 TO, 20.2n ppg, 11.0 rpg, 3.7 apg. |