Tracy McGrady is a Hall of Famer — and now an advisor for Wagner basketball
Two years after making a memorable NCAA Tournament appearance, the Wagner Seahawks men’s basketball program just landed a high-profile addition — and no, he won’t be suiting up.
Former NBA superstar and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady has joined Wagner as a strategic advisor, the university announced Wednesday. The move brings a seven-time NBA All-Star to Staten Island, where he’ll help shape the program’s future both on and off the court.
According to the school’s release, McGrady’s role will focus on “development of sustainable structures related to Name, Image and Likeness investment,” along with providing strategic guidance in marketing, player development, and expanding Wagner’s reach beyond its traditional areas of engagement.
It’s a full-circle moment for McGrady, whose son, Laymen, is a 6-foot-4 freshman forward who transferred to Wagner last month after redshirting at Oral Roberts. Now, father and son will be part of the same program — just in very different capacities.
McGrady, 46, joins a growing trend of NBA legends lending their expertise to college programs. Last month, John Wall became president of basketball operations at Howard. Shaquille O’Neal took on a general manager role at Sacramento State, Steph Curry returned to Davidson as assistant general manager, and Trae Young accepted a similar position at Oklahoma.
For Wagner, adding a player of McGrady’s caliber — even in an advisory role — is a massive win. It brings instant credibility, NIL expertise, and a name that resonates far beyond the Northeast Conference. McGrady will balance his new duties with his work as an NBA analyst for NBC and his podcast, “Cousins.”
For a program looking to build on its recent tournament run, this is the kind of assist that doesn’t show up in the box score.