Best Indiana Pacers Player from Indiana: George McGinnis
George McGinnis, an Indianapolis native, is one of the greatest players to wear a Pacers’ jersey. He won back-to-back ABA Championships in Indiana and was the ABA MVP in 1973. He was a six-time all-star, five-time all-league performer, and a member of the ABA All-Time Team. All the accolades in his 11-year playing career resulted in his being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
McGinnis started his year strong by averaging 16.9 points and 9.7 boards during his rookie season. He scored 20-plus points per game in each of the next three seasons with Indiana highlighted by a career-high 29.8 points plus 14.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.6 steals per game in his MVP season.
George McGinnis is now officially enshrined member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. #17HoopClass pic.twitter.com/eikejNXCA0
— Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) September 9, 2017
McGinnis left in free agency after four seasons prior to the 1975-76 season but returned to the Circle City via trade in 1979-80.
After his return, he would go on to play two-and-a-half more seasons and finish his Pacers career averaging 19.6 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, both of which rank second in franchise history.
For McGinnis’ career, he netted 20.2 points and 11.0 rebounds per night.
Best Indiana Pacers Player from Iowa: George Peeples
George Peeples was drafted into the NBA but opted to sign with the Pacers in the ABA prior to the 1967-68 season. He played his first two seasons in Indiana and averaged 5.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per night before leaving for the Carolina Cougars the next season.
He attempted a return to Indiana after three seasons away but played in just nine games before his NBA career came to an end.