George McGinnis Biography
George McGinnis is a former basketball player that played for the Hoosiers for his sophomore year during the 1970-1971 college basketball season. He was drafted in the second round of the 1973 NBA draft as the 22nd pick overall by the Philadelphia 76ers and was traded immediately to the Indian. McGinnis would spent a total of 11 years in the professional league on the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Denver Nuggets. Notable accomplishments include 1969 Mr. Basketball USA, 1971 All-Big Ten and All-American, two-time ABA champion (1972, 1973), and three-time NBA All-Star (1976, 1977, 1979).
- Name: George F. McGinnis
- Nicknames: Big Mac, Baby Bull, McGinnis the Magnificent, Big George, Mount George
- Position: Power Forward / Center
- Nationality: USA
- Age: 74 years old
- Birthday: August 12th, 1950
- Birthplace: Harpersville, Alabama
- Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
- High School: Washington High School (Indianapolis, Indiana)
- Height: 6’8″ (203 cm)
- Weight: 235 lb (107 kg)
- Seasons: 1 (1970-1971)
- Jersey: #30
- NBA Draft: 1973 / Second Round / 22nd Overall Pick (Philadelphia 76ers)
Social Media
- Twitter: @HOFMcGinnis30
Awards and Accolades
- Mr. Basketball USA (1969)
- Mr. Basketball Indiana (1969)
- NCAA All-American (Third Team) (1971)
- All-Big Ten (1971)
- ABA All-Time Team
- ABA All-Rookie First Team (1972)
- ABA Rookie of the Year (1972)
- All-ABA Second Team (1973)
- ABA Champion (1972, 1973)
- ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player (1973)
- All-ABA First Team (1974, 1975)
- ABA All-Star (1973, 1974, 1975)
- ABA Most Valuable Player (1975)
- All-NBA First Team (1976)
- All-NBA Second Team (1977)
- NBA All-Star (1976, 1977, 1979)
- Naismith Hall of Fame (2017 Inducted)
George McGinnis Seasons with the Hoosiers
7–17 (3–11 Big Ten)
17–7 (9–5 Big Ten)
George McGinnis Career Statistics at Indiana University
Season | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | FT | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | PF | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1970-1971 | 24 | 830 | 283 | 615 | 0.46 | 153 | 249 | 0.614 | 352 | 66 | 96 | 719 |
Career | 24 | 830 | 283 | 615 | 0.46 | 153 | 249 | 0.614 | 352 | 66 | 96 | 719 |
George McGinnis High School Career (Washington High School) and Recruiting Profile
George McGinnis attended Washington High School located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Throughout his career in high school, McGinnis gained significant notoriety and became one of the most recognizable high school basketball players in the nation by the time he was a senior.
McGinnis was a 6-foot-4 freshman in high school. He was recruited early on by the football coach at Washington High School, which eventually led him to bulk up to 235 pounds. McGinnis gained a total of 50 pounds since he first stepped foot in to Washington High School. Many of his nicknames were earned during his football playing days.
At Washington High School, he played with future Indiana University teammate Steve Downing.
During George McGinnis’s senior year of high school, he led the Washington Continentals to go an impressive 31-0 in 1969, winning the Indiana HSAA state championship. In the final four games, George McGinnis scored 148 points, setting an Indiana state tournament record.
In more recent speech where George McGinnis presented the 2017 IndyStar Mr. Basketball trophy, George McGinnis reflected on his experience winning the Indiana state title.
It was 48 years ago that I played on the state championship team, and that has been — and still is — the greatest thing that ever happened to me in my entire life.
George McGinnis, 2017 IndyStar Mr. Basketball Presentation
In the Indiana-versus-Kentucky All-Stars game, George McGinnis currently owns the record for the best performance in the history of the event. In just a 32-minute high school game, George McGinnis scored 53 points and grabbed 31 rebounds.
George McGinnis Indiana University Career
George McGinnis played just a single season at Indiana University under head coach Lou Watson. With the freshman ineligibility rule, McGinnis did not play in the 1969-1970 campaign, despite being enrolled at Indiana University at the time.