Indy Standard

The Board of School Commissioners for Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) has decided to honor the late George McGinnis by renaming the gymnasium at George Washington High School after him. This decision was made on January 30, reflecting McGinnis's significant contributions to basketball and his community.

George McGinnis led George Washington High School's basketball team to a state championship in 1969 alongside teammate Steve Downing. That year, the team achieved a perfect 31–0 record. McGinnis set an Indiana state tournament scoring record with 148 points in his last four games and was named Mr. Basketball for Indiana.

After high school, McGinnis played for Indiana University before moving on to a successful professional career. He won ABA championships with the Indiana Pacers and had stints in the NBA with Philadelphia and Denver, retiring from the Pacers in 1982.

Dr. Stan Law, principal of George Washington High School, remarked on McGinnis's impact: “McGinnis wasn’t just a basketball icon, but he was a role model and an inspiration to countless young athletes in Indianapolis, shaping the city’s basketball culture for decades.”

Although George McGinnis passed away in December 2023, Dr. Law emphasized that "his legacy as a basketball player, a businessman, a philanthropist, and a pillar in our community will long live in our memories."

The renaming ceremony is scheduled for February 20 at 6 p.m., preceding the varsity basketball game between the George Washington Continentals and Shortridge Blue Devils.