George F. McGinnis was born in Harpersville, Alabama, on August 12, 1950, but grew up in Indianapolis, where he attended Washington High School.

[7] McGinnis immediately became one of the marquee players of the ABA, playing a key role on the Indiana Pacers' championship teams in each of his first two seasons with his hometown franchise.

[20] In October 1974, the 76ers were ready to send McGinnis' draft rights to the New York Knicks with the stipulation that the latter ballclub signs him before the agreed-upon deadline.

[21] The deal fell through when he decided to stay with the Pacers and signed a two-year contract with an $85,000 buyout clause which was exercised following the 1974–75 season.

[21][22] Preferring to play in New York City because of its financial endorsement opportunities, McGinnis sought a preliminary injunction and restraining order against the NBA on May 23, 1975, that would have permitted him to negotiate with any of the league's 18 teams.

[29] Hoping to boost sagging attendance in their early NBA years, the Pacers re-acquired McGinnis by trading away young forward Alex English.

[30][20] However, McGinnis was beyond his prime, averaging a comparatively low 13.1 points per game during the 1980-81 NBA season,[31] and was unable to help the Pacers past their first round matchup against the 76ers in the 1981 NBA Playoffs, only scoring ten points in the two-game series,[32] while English went on to be a multiple time all-star and franchise player for the Nuggets.

[33] McGinnis is one of four players (the others are Roger Brown, Reggie Miller, and Mel Daniels) to have his jersey (#30) retired by the Pacers.

[34] On April 1, 2017, it was announced that McGinnis was part of the 2017 class for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, alongside Tracy McGrady, Bill Self, and Rebecca Lobo.