Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed information about George McGinnis:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: George F. McGinnis
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born August 12, 1950
  • Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Height: 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m)
  • Weight: 235 lbs (107 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet (2.13 m)
  • Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 30 and 35 during his career
  • Position: Power forward / Small forward
  • High School: George Washington High School (Indianapolis, Indiana)
  • College: Indiana University (1970–1971)
  • NBA/ABA Draft:
    • ABA: 1971 by the Indiana Pacers
    • NBA: 1973, Round 2, Pick 22 by the Philadelphia 76ers
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Indiana Pacers (ABA: 1971–1975, NBA: 1980–1982)
    2. Philadelphia 76ers (1975–1978)
    3. Denver Nuggets (1978–1980)
  • Championship Rings: 2 (ABA Championships with the Indiana Pacers in 1972 and 1973)
  • Kids: Has children, though specific details are not widely disclosed
  • Siblings: Not publicly disclosed

Player Archetype / Play Style

George McGinnis’s player archetype was that of a powerful point-forward style scorer, a big wing-forward hybrid who could bully defenders inside, rip down rebounds, and still initiate offense with sharp passing. Defensively, he was more of a physical, activity-based forward than a pure stopper, using his strength, length, and mobility to battle on the glass, disrupt plays, and hold his own across the frontcourt. Offensively, he operated as a forceful interior scorer and transition weapon, but what made him unusual for his era was how comfortably he handled the ball and created for teammates. At roughly 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds, McGinnis paired long strides, upper-body power, and uncommon agility with a one-handed jumper that helped define his game. His play style blended bruising power with surprising finesse, making him an ahead-of-his-time offensive hub who could score, rebound, pass, and push the pace in ways few forwards of the 1970s could match. (The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame)

Fun Facts

  • George McGinnis was a dominant force in both the ABA and NBA, known for his scoring, rebounding, and physical style of play.
  • He won the ABA MVP in 1975 and was a 6-time All-Star (3 in the ABA, 3 in the NBA).
  • McGinnis led the Indiana Pacers to two ABA Championships and was a key figure in the league’s history.
  • In college, he was a standout player at Indiana University, where he averaged an incredible 29.9 points and 14.7 rebounds in his lone season.
  • Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
  • Post-retirement, McGinnis has been involved in community work and basketball events in Indianapolis.

Sources:
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — George McGinnis
Indiana Pacers — Pacers Legend George McGinnis Has Passed Away
Indiana Pacers — At the Top of his Career, McGinnis Remained Down to Earth
AP News — NBA All-Star George McGinnis dies at 73 after complications from a cardiac arrest