1972 Indiana Pacers George McGinnis ABA Championship Ring

Sotheby’s is proud to offer this 10-karat gold Indiana Pacers 1972 American Basketball Association Player Issued Championship Ring, originally awarded to George McGinnis. The front of the ring showcases a centered blue stone surrounded by diamonds and inscribed with “PACERS 1972 CHAMPIONS.” One side of the ring features the Pacers logo, McGinnis’s last name, and jersey number (30). The opposite side bears the ABA logo, date of the championship game (May 20, 1972), the final score (108-105), and “PRIDE, POISE, PERFECTION.”

At just 21 years old, McGinnis made an immediate impact for the Pacers, averaging 16.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game during the regular season. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting behind only Julius Erving and Artis Gilmore. The Pacers finished second in the ABA Western Division with a record of 47-37. Despite it being his first year as a professional, McGinnis played with the poise and confidence of a seasoned vet. 

With the help of McGinnis, the Pacers captured their second ABA Championship in franchise history, defeating the New York Nets in a six-game series. On basketball’s biggest stage, McGinnis averaged 18.3 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game.

Going Deeper - George McGinnis

A native of Indianapolis, in 1969, McGinnis led Washington High School to a perfect 31-0 record, a state championship, and was named Mr. Basketball for the entire United States. The following year, McGinnis attended Indiana University. In his lone collegiate season, he averaged 30 points and 14.7 rebounds per game, becoming the first sophomore in Big Ten history to lead in both categories in a single season. His superior play earned him All-Big Ten and All-American honors.

McGinnis would spend the next few years dominating in the ABA. In just four seasons McGinnis accomplished the following: 

ABA All-Rookie First Team (1972)

2x ABA Champion (1972, 1973)

ABA Playoffs MVP (1973)

All-ABA Second Team (1973)

3x ABA All-Star (1973–1975)

ABA MVP (1975)

2x All-ABA First Team (1974, 1975)

ABA scoring champion (1975)

He would later be named to the ABA All-Time Team. 

McGinnis spent the next seven seasons in the NBA as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and his final two seasons as a member of the Indiana Pacers. While playing in the NBA he was named a 3x All-Star (1976, 1977, 1979), All-NBA First Team (1976), and All-NBA Second Team (1977).

In 2017 George McGinnis was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also one of only four players to have their number retired by the Indiana Pacers.