George McGinnis
A native of basketball-rich Indiana, George McGinnis spent his best years playing basketball for teams that put the hysteria in the Hoosier State. McGinnis burst onto the scene in his only varsity season at Indiana University where he led the Big Ten in both scoring and rebounding. The following season, the upstart ABA found a home for Big George with the Indiana Pacers where he teamed with fellow big man Mel Daniels and wing Roger Brown to bring the Pacers the first of two championships for the big three. McGinnis was named All-Rookie that season averaging close to a double-double in points and rebounds. He later shared regular season MVP honors for his 29-point, 14-rebound per game averages during the 1974-75 season. A three-time NBA and ABA All-Star, McGinnis liked to play on the interior where his size and strength were assets not often seen during his era. Legendary coach Adolph Rupp once remarked that McGinnis was one of the greatest high school players he ever saw play, thanks to Big Mac’s 53-point, 30-rebound outing in the famed Indiana-Kentucky All-Star series.
