Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer George McGinnis died early Thursday morning, the Indiana Pacers said in a team statement.
McGinnis “succumbed to complications from a cardiac arrest suffered late last week,” according to the Pacers. He was 73 years old.
McGinnis played three seasons with the Sixers and helped the team win the 1977 Eastern Conference title. He averaged 21.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a Sixer.
“George McGinnis was a Hall of Famer on and off the court, earning several accolades during an ABA-NBA career that spanned a decade,” the Sixers said in a statement. “He joined our team in the mid-70s and proved to be an incredible force alongside Julius Erving — the duo leading our team to a 1977 NBA Finals appearance. Our sincerest condolences go out to George’s family and friends. He will be missed.”
The 6-foot-8 McGinnis was known for his distinctive one-handed jumper. He’s also widely considered a predecessor to the powerful, skillful forwards of the modern-day NBA.
“Until LeBron (James) came along, I never saw another guy that had George’s physical abilities on a basketball court,” Erving said ahead of McGinnis’ Hall of Fame induction in 2017.
The Pacers have McGinnis’ No. 30 retired. An Indianapolis native, McGinnis starred at Indiana University and then won ABA championships his first two professional seasons with the Pacers.
Source : NBC Washington