Throwback Tuesday

In this weeks issue of Throwback Tuesday, we take a look back at Tracy McGrady aka TMac. TMac went to Mt. Zion Christian Academy in Durham, North Carolina. He transfered there after his junior year from Auburndale High School in Auburndale, Florida. Tracy created a buzz for himself during the Adidas ABCD camp, where the best players in high school are invited to showcase their talents. Two of his favorite college teams wanted him to come to their school (Florida State and Kentucky). TMac wouldve been the 4th high school player to come out of high and go to the NBA in 3 years (Jermaine Oneal, Kevin Garnett, and Kobe Bryant).  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5LsO8nerAg

What people dont know about TMac's road to the NBA is that he wasnt always on the radar. As I said before, he was one of the best players in high school..he just didnt get as much attention as some of the other players recieved. During the game at the Adidas ABCD camp at Fairleigh Dickinson University, people would soon remember who Tracy McGrady was. Midway through the second half, this scrawny 6'8 kid grabbed a loose ball and headed into the open court. Another player, this one an inch taller but just as skinny, went for the chase down. We all know that moment when the someone has the ball and its just you and the defender all alone. Best feeling in the world, you know its just you...the defender..and the rim. The crowd never knows what to expect, which makes the moment that much better. At the time TMac was a nobody compared to James Felton, who was a top 25 prospect. "Of all the big men in our class, James Felton and Elton Brand were the best," said Lamar Odom. After getting the loose ball and headed the other way, Tracy slowed up to wait on the top 25 prospect Felton. They both went up towards the rim and just when Felton thought he was going to get a blocked shot, TMac did a windmill with the left hand and threw it down. At that moment TMac made a bigger name for hisself. "It was one of the best basketball moments of my life," recalls Odom. "An I'm ready to get drafted type of move. I'd never seen anyone do something like that, not even in the NBA."

Tracy McGrady entered the 1997 NBA Draft and was drafted 9th overall by the Toronto Raptors. Tracy said that if he did not go to the NBA, he wouldve went to the University of Kentucky. Since entering the draft, TMac has several accomplishments:

• 7X NBA All Star
• 7X All NBA
• 2X Scoring Champion
• Most Improved Player (2001)

Tracy currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks, who are in the playoffs against the Boston Celtics. The Hawks lead that series 1-0.