Tracy McGrady has joined Wagner basketball as a strategic advisor, focusing on marketing and player development. His role aims to enhance the program's engagement and sustainability in Name, Image, and Likeness investments.
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Two years removed from an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the Wagner men’s basketball program got a high-profile addition this week — just not one that can directly help it on the court.
Former NBA superstar and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady has joined the Seahawks as a strategic advisor, the university announced on Wednesday, May 13.
According to a release, McGrady’s role with the Staten Island school will include “development of sustainable structures related to Name, Image and Likeness investment…providing strategic guidance to the men's basketball program in areas including marketing, player development, and expanding Wagner's reach beyond its traditional areas of engagement on and off the court.”
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The move will unite the 46-year-old McGrady with his son, Laymen, a 6-foot-4 freshman forward who transferred to Wagner last month after redshirting last season at Oral Roberts.
A seven-time NBA All-Star as a player, McGrady becomes the latest former NBA standout to join a college basketball program as an advisor. Last month, John Wall was named the president of basketball operations at Howard. Last year, Shaquille O’Neal joined Sacramento State as its general manager, Steph Curry returned to Davidson, which he led to an Elite Eight appearance in 2008, as its assistant general manager and accepted a position as the assistant general manager at Oklahoma, where he played his lone college season in 2017-18.
Tracy McGrady is serving as a strategic advisor for Wagner basketball, focusing on marketing, player development, and Name, Image, and Likeness investments.
McGrady's experience as a Hall of Famer will provide strategic guidance to enhance the program's visibility and player development efforts.
Name, Image, and Likeness investments allow college athletes to profit from their personal brand and endorsements, which McGrady will help Wagner develop.
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McGrady will balance his responsibilities at Wagner with his work in the media as an NBA analyst for NBC and on his podcast, “Cousins,” with former Toronto Raptors teammate and cousin Vince Carter.
Wagner, which competes in the Northeast Conference, went 14-17 last season under first-year head coach Dwan McMillan.
"The challenges college athletics face today, especially at the mid-major level in a city like New York, can be very difficult, and I am looking forward to helping coach McMillan and his staff in every way possible to raise the profile, the level of talent and the business opportunities both on and off the court for his young athletes as they grow not just in basketball but as leaders,” McGrady said in a statement. “My hope is to help create an environment where all involved can stay, grow together, and really master their game and life skills over time. Stepping into this role is really personal for me since I did not go to college.
“Being around this community, where gritty coaches like P.J. Carlesimo and Dan Hurley got their start, excites me just as much as basketball. It is a priority for me that goes well beyond wins and losses in the NEC. It is about making sure potential is realized both for the short and the long term for these dedicated athletes and the staff."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tracy McGrady joins Wagner basketball as strategic advisor