The Official Site of Tracy McGrady

Mon, Jul 14th 2008, 16:32

McGrady's Event Boosts Community

Tracy McGrady has always been good about giving back to his community.

The former Auburndale High basketball star and current NBA superstar has sponsored a yearly Christmas Tournament and is in his 11th year of sponsoring an annual streetball tournament through his foundation. But the What Does It Take To Be #1 Indoor Streetball tournament isn’t just about giving back to the community. For McGrady it’s about giving back to basketball.

“It’s a good competition,” said McGrady, as one of his children bounced on his knee. “The guys come out for the love of the game. There’s not many runs around here for guys that didn’t get a chance. The guys look forward to it.”

The community also looks forward to the event. During peak hours, about 2,000 fans are expected to pack Tracy McGrady Gymnasium. At the 2 p.m. game on Saturday, about 400 fans lined the stands to watch. Some, like Winter Haven High graduate DuJuan Cole, 26, had been there since play started at 9 a.m.

This was Cole’s first time at the event in two years, but he enjoys the atmosphere the tournament provides.

“It gives us a chance to hang out,” he said. “It feels like a big family reunion.”

It had the atmosphere of one as well. Kids bounced in the stands flanked by their parents and grandparents. McGrady brought his children to the game, as well. He arrived a little after 3:30 p.m. and had to make a return trip to his car to get one of his children’s favorite stuffed toys. He gladly signed a couple of autographs on the way back into the gym before rejoining his family in the stands.

McGrady wasn’t the only NBA player at the tournament. Washington Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson is playing with the Orlando Runnin Rebels team. Players from all over the country and local teams make up the tournament, which went from 16 teams last year to 13 this year, but has grown greatly in McGrady’s eyes.

“It’s progressed with more talent and more support,” he said. “It’s one thing I really enjoy. It’s been pretty successful.”

McGrady’s annual basketball camp will be Monday through Wednesday at the gym from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The camp is free to the first 70 kids who bring a case of canned goods, which will be donated to a local Meals on Wheels.

The camp is put on by Tracy McGrady’s foundation – T-Mac Inc. Parents should arrive with their kids to sign a waiver for them participate.

The camp is run by Greg Williams and Warren Pippen, cousin of former NBA star Scottie Pippen.