George Mikan

Birth Name: George Lawrence Mikan

Date of Birth: June 18, 1924

Place of Birth: Joliet, Illinois, U.S.

Date of Death: June 1, 2005

Place of Death: Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*Croatian (father)
*Lithuanian (mother)

George Mikan was an American professional basketball player. He played for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL), and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America (BAA), and the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was nicknamed “Mr. Basketball.”

George was the son of Minnie/Michaline Francis and Joseph George Mikan. His brother was professional basketball player Ed Mikan. He was married to Patricia, until his death, with whom he had six children, including professional basketball player Larry Mikan.

George’s paternal grandfather was Juraj/George Jack Mikan (the son of Thomas Mikan and Mary Protolipatz). Juraj was born in Vivodina, Croatia. He moved to Braddock, Pennsylvania in 1891.

George’s paternal grandmother was named Marija/Mary Kosec.

George’s maternal grandfather was Anton Blinstrup (the son of Polikarp Joseph Blinstrup and Leonora Rodoitis Radaviciute).

George’s maternal grandmother was Frances Lillian Jasinskas (the daughter of Frank Jasinskas and Josephine Steckis).