History of Tracy McGrady in Timeline

Tracy McGrady, nicknamed T-Mac, is a retired American professional basketball player celebrated for his NBA career. A seven-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, he twice won the NBA scoring title and received the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2001. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017, McGrady is considered one of the best scorers and shooting guards in NBA history.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

May 24, 1979: Tracy McGrady's Birth

On May 24, 1979, Tracy Lamar McGrady Jr., nicknamed T-Mac, was born. He would later become a professional basketball player known for his career in the NBA.

Others born on this day/year

1996: Announcement of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History

Sports Illustrated listed McGrady as one of the 20 best basketball players since the announcement of the original 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.

1997: McGrady and Carter discover relation

In 1997, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter discovered that they were second cousins once removed through Carter's step-great-grandfather; the two therefore are not related by blood.

1997: NBA Draft and Toronto Raptors Selection

In 1997, Tracy McGrady entered the NBA directly from high school and was selected as the ninth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors, starting his professional basketball career.

1997: Roundball Classic

In 1997, Tracy McGrady played at the Roundball Classic, scoring 13 points.

1997: Joining Toronto Raptors and Limited Playing Time

In 1997, after being drafted by the Toronto Raptors, Tracy McGrady experienced a difficult rookie season with limited playing time and feelings of loneliness.

1998: McGrady and Carter as teammates on the Raptors

From 1998, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter were teammates with the Raptors.

1998: Drafting of Vince Carter by the Raptors

In 1998, the Toronto Raptors drafted Vince Carter, who is Tracy McGrady's second cousin once removed. The two players became very close.

1999: Emergence of Athletic Duo

By the 1999-2000 season, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter developed a reputation for their athleticism while playing together for the Toronto Raptors.

August 3, 2000: Signing with the Orlando Magic

On August 3, 2000, Tracy McGrady signed with the Orlando Magic as a free agent, aiming for a more significant role and a return to his home state of Florida. He signed a seven-year, $92.8 million contract with the Magic.

2000: Emergence as a Top NBA Player

During the 2000-01 NBA season, Tracy McGrady established himself as one of the league's best players, earning his first All-Star Game appearance and All-NBA Second Team selection.

2000: Playoff Qualification and First-Round Exit

In 2000, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter helped the Toronto Raptors qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, though they were swept by the New York Knicks in the first round.

2000: Departure to Orlando Magic

In 2000, Tracy McGrady left the Toronto Raptors and joined the Orlando Magic, seeking a more prominent role as a prolific scorer.

2000: McGrady and Carter as teammates on the Raptors

Until 2000, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter were teammates with the Raptors.

2001: All-NBA First Team Selection

During the 2001-02 season, Tracy McGrady earned his second All-NBA Team selection, being named to the All-NBA First Team.

2001: All-NBA Honors and NBA Most Improved Player Award

In 2001, Tracy McGrady earned All-NBA honors and won the NBA Most Improved Player Award.

2001: NBA Most Improved Player Award

In 2001, Tracy McGrady won the NBA Most Improved Player Award, marking a significant achievement in his early career.

March 8, 2002: Season High 50 Points Against Wizards

On March 8, 2002, Tracy McGrady scored a season-high 50 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 99–96 win over the Washington Wizards.

2002: McGrady signs partnership with Adidas

In 2002, Tracy McGrady signed a long-term partnership with Adidas, agreeing to an endorsement deal that lasted through his playing career and beyond.

2002: First NBA Scoring Title

In 2002-03, Tracy McGrady won his first NBA scoring title, averaging 32.1 points per game and finishing fourth in MVP voting.

2003: McGrady selected for FIBA Americas Championship

In 2003, Tracy McGrady was selected to the United States national team for the FIBA Americas Championship.

2003: NBA Scoring Title

In 2003, Tracy McGrady won an NBA scoring title.

2003: Second Consecutive Scoring Title

In the 2003-04 season, Tracy McGrady won his second consecutive NBA scoring title, despite a tumultuous season for the Orlando Magic.

June 29, 2004: Trade to Houston Rockets

On June 29, 2004, Tracy McGrady, along with other players, was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he looked forward to playing alongside Yao Ming.

2004: Trade to Houston Rockets

In 2004, Tracy McGrady was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he teamed up with Yao Ming, aiming to create a strong playoff contender.

2004: US qualifies for the 2004 Olympic Games

In 2004, the U.S. qualified for the Olympic Games after winning against Puerto Rico.

2004: Memorable Performance Against Spurs

On December 9, 2004, Tracy McGrady scored 13 points in the final 35 seconds against the San Antonio Spurs, including a game-winning three-pointer. The Rockets finished the 2004-05 season with 51 wins.

December 27, 2005: Birth of McGrady's First Son

On December 27, 2005, Tracy McGrady's first son, Laymen Lamar, was born during a home game in Houston, which McGrady left at halftime.

2005: Draft Pick to Raptors

As part of the sign-and-trade deal that brought Tracy McGrady to the Orlando Magic, a future 2005 1st round draft pick was sent to the Toronto Raptors. Fran Vázquez was later selected with that pick.

2005: Injury-Plagued Season

The 2005-06 season was disappointing for Tracy McGrady and the Rockets. McGrady appeared in only 47 games due to injury. He missed time due to back spasms, including a moment in January where he had to be carried off the court in a stretcher due to a severe flare up. Despite his health concerns, McGrady was able to play in that year's All-Star Game in front of his home crowd in Houston, exploding for 36 points in just 27 minutes.

2006: Health Issues and Playoff Disappointment

During the 2006-07 season, Tracy McGrady faced ongoing back issues that affected his performance. He also carried the pressure of leading the Houston Rockets deep into the playoffs, but they lost in the first round to the Utah Jazz.

2007: All-Star Selection

In 2007, Tracy McGrady earned All-Star selection.

2007: McGrady Visits Darfurian Refugee Camps

In 2007, Tracy McGrady traveled to the Darfurian refugee camps in Chad with John Prendergast and Omer Ismail of the Enough Project.

2007: Rockets' 22-Game Winning Streak

In 2007-08, the Houston Rockets achieved a 22-game winning streak, despite missing Yao Ming during that period. Tracy McGrady expressed optimism regarding the team's roster.

2008: McGrady Criticized for Comments on All-Star Game in New Orleans

In 2008, Tracy McGrady was criticized for his comments on the All-Star Game being held in New Orleans, questioning the quality of public safety.

2008: Brother's runner-up placement at the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament

In 2008, Tracy McGrady's younger brother, Chancellor "Chance" McGrady, played for the 2008 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament runner-up Memphis Tigers.

February 18, 2010: McGrady Traded to the New York Knicks

On February 18, 2010, Tracy McGrady was traded to the New York Knicks as part of a three-team trade involving Houston, New York, and Sacramento.

2010: McGrady's Stats for the 2010-11 Season

In the 2010-11 NBA season, Tracy McGrady averaged 8 points per game.

2010: McGrady Changes Jersey Number to Promote Humanitarian Efforts

Prior to the start of the 2010 season with the Rockets, Tracy McGrady changed his jersey number to No. 3 in order to promote his humanitarian efforts in the Darfur region and a documentary called 3 Points.

January 14, 2011: McGrady Scores Season High Against Raptors

On January 14, 2011, Tracy McGrady scored a season-high 22 points and recorded 5 assists in a 101–95 victory over the Raptors.

January 2, 2012: McGrady performance against Miami Heat

On January 2, 2012, McGrady had a memorable performance against the Miami Heat scoring 13-point fourth quarter to bring Atlanta back to win the game.

October 9, 2012: McGrady Signs with Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles

On October 9, 2012, Tracy McGrady signed a one-year deal with the Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association.

April 16, 2013: McGrady Signs with San Antonio Spurs

On April 16, 2013, Tracy McGrady signed with the San Antonio Spurs, becoming eligible for their playoff roster.

2013: Retirement from NBA

In 2013, after struggling with injuries and playing briefly in China and with the San Antonio Spurs, Tracy McGrady retired from the NBA.

February 4, 2014: McGrady Pursues Professional Baseball Career

On February 4, 2014, Tracy McGrady confirmed his pursuit of a professional baseball career, working with Roger Clemens to become a pitcher for the Sugar Land Skeeters.

July 2014: Professional Baseball Career

From April to July 2014, Tracy McGrady pursued his dream of playing professional baseball, pitching for the Sugar Land Skeeters in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

2016: Ranked among the Best Basketball Players

In 2016, Sports Illustrated listed Tracy McGrady as one of the 20 best basketball players since the announcement of the original 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.