Following in the footsteps of his older brother John, who had set the Sacramento City College basketball records for points in a season and career, George Stanich was the most versatile athlete in the history of Sacramento City College. During the 1946-47 school year he was the leading pitcher on the baseball team as well as the NCJCC champion in the high jump and 120 yard high hurdles. He was also an all-conference center on the basketball team. Leading his team in scoring, he again followed his brother's example by being named to the Western States (National) Tournament all-star basketball team.

After leaving SCC, George won the bronze medal in the high jump at the 1948 Olympic Games in London.

Like his brother, he enrolled at UCLA, where he competed in three sports. Whereas his brother John was all PCC, a NIBL all-star and an AAU all-American at UCLA, George was most noted when in 1950, after playing three years for UCLA under coach John Wooden, he became the first Bruin named to the Converse All-American basketball team (as a guard). He was then drafted by the Rochester Royals in the second round.

Preferring to play baseball and to stay closer to home, Stanich, who had also excelled on the diamond at UCLA, joined the Oaks in 1950 and stayed with the Pacific Coast League for five years.