George McGinnis

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

McGinnis was born in Harpersville, Alabama, on August 12, 1950, but grew up in Indianapolis, where he attended Washington High School. He and teammate Steve Downing led Washington to a 31–0 record and a state championship in 1969. McGinnis set an Indiana state tournament scoring record with 148 points in his final four games. He was also named Mr. Basketball for the state of Indiana that year. McGinnis lost his father Burnie in a construction accident during his junior year of high school. McGinnis also played football in high school, serving as wide receiver and defensive end, and he later stated that his best sport was 'probably football', which he didn't even like as much as basketball.

In Their Own Story

The source mentions George McGinnis solely within the context of 'Triple-doubles by opponents.' It states that Magic Johnson and George McGinnis achieved this feat in a game between Los Angeles and Denver on November 16, 1979. No further narrative details, specific play-by-play accounts, or descriptions of his performance in that game or any other are provided.

Reader's Guide

McGinnis played for the Indiana Pacers (1971–1975), Philadelphia 76ers (1975–1978), Denver Nuggets (1978–1980), and returned to the Pacers (1980–1982). He won two ABA championships with the Pacers in his first two seasons. He was named ABA Playoffs MVP in 1973. His best season was 1974–75, when he scored a career-high 29.8 points and recorded a career-high 6.3 assists per game en route to ABA MVP honors. In the 1975 ABA Playoffs, he nearly averaged a triple-double (32.3 points, 15.9 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in 18 games), but the Pacers lost to Kentucky in the ABA Finals. He recorded the first 50+ point triple-double in NBA/ABA Playoff history with 51 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists on April 12, 1975. He also became the first player in NBA/ABA history to record 200+ points, 100+ rebounds, and 50+ assists in a single playoff series, accomplishing it twice in back-to-back series. He made the All-NBA First Team in his debut season with the 76ers in 1976, and was selected to two All-Star games in his three seasons with the team. He helped propel the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 1977, but they lost to the Portland Trail Blazers. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 1978. In his one full season with the Nuggets, he averaged 22.6 points with 11.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists while being named to the All-Star Game. He tore ligaments in his left ankle near the end of the season and missed the entire playoffs. He was traded back to the Pacers in 1980, averaging a comparatively low 13.1 points per game during the 1980-81 NBA season. He never played again after the 1982 season.

Did You Know?

• McGinnis set an Indiana state tournament scoring record with 148 points in his final four games.
• He was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Indiana in 1969.
• McGinnis became the first junior to lead the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding in the 1970–71 season.
• He recorded the first 50+ point triple-double in NBA/ABA Playoff history with 51 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists on April 12, 1975.
• McGinnis is one of four players to have his jersey (No. 30) retired by the Pacers.