Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady is bringing his legendary basketball resume to Staten Island as the newly appointed strategic advisor to men’s basketball at Wagner College.
On Wednesday, the 7x All-Star and NBC NBA broadcast analyst was named to the staff of new fulltime men’s head basketball 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. 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.” McGrady said in a statement. “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.”
McGrady assumes the role and will waive a salary and serve in a volunteer capacity per NCAA rules as his son Laymen, a 6-4 freshman who spent last season as a redshirt at Oral Roberts University, joins the Seahawks in Staten Island as a student-athlete.
It comes at a time when college sports is in a flux, trying to adjust to the pressures applied by the new environment of NIL, athlete compensation and government intervention, making it challenging for mid-level programs like Wagner and fellow NEC member Long Island University, which won the regular season and conference title this past year under coach Rod Strickland.
With the addition of McGrady, the college is hoping to find ways to deal with these burdens while successfully building the program, which finished 14-17 this past season under interim head coach McMillan, into a contender.
“Tracy brings a unique combination of perspective, excellence, and commitment to development both on and off the court,” said Wagner President Jeffrey Doggett. “His engagement aligns with our broader vision of preparing students not only for success in their fields but for life, and we look forward to exploring this partnership in a deliberate and meaningful way.”
McGrady’s talents extend beyond the court, as a broadcaster, podcast host and entrepreneur with ventures like his Ones Basketball League, which restarted play this year after a three-year period of revamping the league.
He joins other NBA players like Shaq (Sacramento State) and Steph Curry (Davidson) who have joined the staffs of college basketball programs in different capacities.
“We are both humbled and honored to have Tracy join us in this new role as we build upon a successful first season we have had at Wagner, and look forward to a future for both our program and for the College community that is very bright,” McMillan said. “It became very evident in our first conversation where both Tracy and Laymen expressed interest in transferring to Wagner that there was a commitment that was both special and very unique, and we are looking forward to having Tracy’s help off the court as Laymen and our athletes develop on it.”
McGrady adds another big name to the New York college basketball scene, which saw a rejuvenation of the game across the area through the success of well-recognized names like St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino, the aforementioned Rod Strickland at LIU and head coach Speedy Claxton at Hofstra.
And with the addition of McGrady, the Seahawks are looking to have their turn in the sun.
