George McGinnis and his wife, Lynda, shared over 43 years of marriage before her passing.
He wedded his high school sweetheart, and they were parents to a son named Tony.
George McGinnis is a former professional basketball player who competed in the NBA.
McGinnis played for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Denver Nuggets, and the Indiana Pacers throughout his NBA journey.
His pivotal role with the Indiana Pacers during their triumphant years in the American Basketball Association (ABA) played a crucial part in securing consecutive ABA championships in 1972 and 1973.
After the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, McGinnis continued his basketball career in the NBA, earning multiple All-Star honors.
McGinnis was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
George McGinnis Wife Lynda: Married Life & Kids
McGinnis married Lynda, his high school sweetheart, and a lifelong acquaintance since grade school. Together, they became parents to a son named Tony.
In 2017, when he was honored with induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, he was slated to undergo a back operation.
The year 2019 proved to be exceptionally challenging. He experienced the loss of both his wife, Lynda, and his mother, Willie.
His wife, Lynda E. McGinnis, passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2019. She was not only his wife but also an accomplished business owner, photographer, and gardener.
She was preceded in death by Chester Dotson (father), Johnnye Dotson (mother), Alva Wallace (sister), and Thomas Edmond (brother).
Lynda’s passing in March 2019 was followed by the death of George’s mother six months later at the age of 92. Reflecting on these events, he remarked, “That was a tough year, as you can imagine.”
Headlines IU Athletics 2023 Hall of Fame Class
George McGinnis made a lasting impact during his brief tenure at Indiana University, leaving a mark on the basketball program and earning recognition as a Hall of Fame-worthy player.
After graduating from Washington High School in Indianapolis, McGinnis faced a one-season hiatus due to NCAA rules for freshmen at the time.
Despite only playing a single season for IU, it proved to be one of the most remarkable performances in the program’s history.
During his sophomore campaign in 1970-71, he averaged 29.9 points and 14.7 rebounds, leading the Big Ten in both categories.
Additionally, he contributed 2.8 assists per game, significantly impacting the Hoosiers’ success with 10 additional wins compared to the previous season.
Recognizing his outstanding contribution, IU Athletics recently announced McGinnis as part of the 2023 Hall of Fame class.
This distinguished class also includes Derek Drouin (Track and Field, 2010-13), Aleksey Korol (Soccer, 1996-99), Christina Loukas (Diving, 2006-09), Tina McCall-Waters (Tennis, 1978-81), and Larry Rink (Team Physician, 1980-present).
