George McGinnis (1950-2023)

[Hovadipo]

 

[LamarCheeks]

Looks like Montieth is walking that back. Regardless, it sounds as if George is gravely ill. 

[Hovadipo]

1 minute ago, LamarCheeks said:

Looks like Montieth is walking that back. Regardless, it sounds as if George is gravely ill. 

Ugh, sorry. Will change the thread title. 

[Dave from Dayton]

I remember big George at IU playing in with Joby Wright and Steve Downing. 

In the 1970–71 season at Indiana, McGinnis became the first sophomore to lead the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding. He averaged 29.9 points per game in his lone season in Bloomington earning All-American and All-Big Ten Honors in 1971. He played for coach Lou Watson, the year before IU hired Bob Knight.

That front line was un-freakin'-believeable! 

[pumpfake]

On 12/11/2023 at 7:12 PM, Dave from Dayton said:

I remember big George at IU playing in with Joby Wright and Steve Downing. 

In the 1970–71 season at Indiana, McGinnis became the first sophomore to lead the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding. He averaged 29.9 points per game in his lone season in Bloomington earning All-American and All-Big Ten Honors in 1971. He played for coach Lou Watson, the year before IU hired Bob Knight.

That front line was un-freakin'-believeable! 

A man among boys...

[Dave from Dayton]

It is not publicly reported that George McGinnis has passed away at age of 73 on Monday, December 11, 2023.  He had called in to 911 on Saturday and was placed on life support for three days.   George McGinnis Death: American Former Professional Basketball Player Died At 73 (uptospeedjournalism.com)

I have seen sketchy reports, but nothing has come out formally from the next of kin.  So, until otherwise informed by the next of kin or the appropriate official, this should be considered unconfirmed.  

 

[Demo]

One of the absolute greats.
RIP Big Guy

 

[Stuhoo]

Either him or Walt Bellamy had the single most dominant season in the history of the Indiana Hoosiers.

RIP

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Osterman -

It's difficult to put McGinnis' greatness into full perspective. He scored 1,000 points in a high school season without the 3-point line. He averaged almost 30 ppg in his one season in the Big Ten. First sophomore ever to do that in the league (freshmen weren't eligible).

[Demo]

3 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Osterman -

It's difficult to put McGinnis' greatness into full perspective. He scored 1,000 points in a high school season without the 3-point line. He averaged almost 30 ppg in his one season in the Big Ten. First sophomore ever to do that in the league (freshmen weren't eligible).

And don’t forget about him dropping the 50 bomb on the Kentucky All Stars after someone suggested he was overrated. That right there is a freaking Boss move.

[HoosierHoopster]

Should be in the GOAT conversation for IU players, great, great player.

[cthomas]

I've followed Big George since high school. He was a phenomenal athlete in both basketball and football. Watched him at every stop during his professional career. It's so sad that another Hoosier icon has left us. I'm sure he is somewhere on a basketball court right now with CBK watching.

[Hovadipo]

23 minutes ago, cthomas said:

I've followed Big George since high school. He was a phenomenal athlete in both basketball and football. Watched him at every stop during his professional career. It's so sad that another Hoosier icon has left us. I'm sure he is somewhere on a basketball court right now with CBK watching.

6 foot 8 inch George McGinnis playing football in high school would be quite a sight. 

[cthomas]

3 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

6 foot 8 inch George McGinnis playing football in high school would be quite a sight. 

I think he played TE or something like that. Hard to imagine how a defensive back would feel seeing George coming at him at full speed.

[cthomas]

A little more about the great George McGinnis. Would have loved to have seen him play a couple of years under CBK.

"3-time Parade Magazine All-American in football, position tightend; 1966 State Football Champions; 2-time Parade Magazine All-American in basketball; All-City and All-State in football and basketball; Mr. Basketball 1969; 1969 team went unbeaten and won Indiana State High School Basketball Championship; set an Indiana state tournament scoring record with 148 points in final four games."

[Demo]

Kind words. Would not have pictured that relationship.

[Stuhoo]

Here's a fantastic glimpse of Big Mac as a high school senior:

 

[Stuhoo]

And here is the big man destroying Minnesota at the 17th St. Fieldhouse in his one year at IU. He's #35 in white.

 

[HinnyHoosier]

I just accompanied my 4th grader on a field trip to the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday and big George is featured in a video highlighting the reverence of the high school game in our state. 

[str8baller]

11 hours ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

He scored 1,000 points in a high school season without the 3-point line. He averaged almost 30 ppg in his one season in the Big Ten.

Both are pretty crazy stats. He couldn’t have played more than 29 games or so in a HS season.