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Tracy McGrady Officially Retires from Professional Basketball

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 18, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets former player Tracy McGrady shakes hand with Rockets mascot Clutch during a timeout between the Houston Rockets and the New Orleans Pelicans in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets former player Tracy McGrady shakes hand with Rockets mascot Clutch during a timeout between the Houston Rockets and the New Orleans Pelicans in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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If you watched basketball during the late 1990s and 2000s, you’ll never forget how dangerous and exhilarating Tracy McGrady was. His endless heroics in clutch moments and tantalizing athleticism made him one of the game’s all-time fan favorites.

A remarkable scorer and true jack of all trades, McGrady has no shortage of impressive performances. From scoring 13 points in 35 seconds to catching fire for 62 points in a single game, T-Mac was an awe-inspiring player.

At the age of 36, McGrady has officially retired from professional basketball.

As can be seen in the video provided below, McGrady bid basketball adieu in an emotional final game during the, “T-Mac Tour,” in China.

This is a sad day for any fan who was lucky enough to watch McGrady during his basketball career.

From 2000 to 2008, McGrady was one of the absolute best players on the planet. He was an all-time scorer, an excellent defender, a gifted passer, a productive rebounder and a clutch maestro.

With two scoring titles, seven All-NBA nods, another seven All-Star Game appearances and the 2001 Most Improved Player award, McGrady has as strong a resume as any wing in recent NBA history.

McGrady’s NBA career was tragically cut short by a compilation of injuries. When healthy, however, he was one of the most lethal all-around players to ever grace the hardwood.

When it’s all said and done, that should get him a spot in Springfield.

McGrady retired from the NBA in August of 2013 on ESPN’s First Take with Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith. In that interview, he left the door open for an international career.

You can see that clip below:

Roughly two calendar years later, he ended his professional basketball career as a whole.

McGrady familiarized himself with basketball in China during his 2012-13 tenure with the Qingdao Eagles. He made the CBA All-Star Game in 2013, riding insane individual statistics and the massive international following he’s acquired throughout his career.

That, coupled with his NBA success, made his farewell tour all the more emotional.

Co-starring with Yao Ming on the Houston Rockets undoubtedly helped his profile.

McGrady will now move on to bigger and better things. The NBA will forever remember his remarkable career, and fans will be eternally appreciative of everything he’s done.

In case he ever does drift from your memory, McGrady’s all-time performances won’t be too hard to find:

Thank you for an incredible career, Tracy McGrady. Basketball fans will never forget it.

Here’s hoping the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic will do what China did: retire McGrady’s jersey.

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