Former NBA star Tracy McGrady confirmed Tuesday that he will pursue a pitching career with the Atlantic League’s Sugar Land Skeeters this season.
McGrady, who turns 35 in May, played 16 seasons in the NBA and made seven All-Star teams. He wrapped up his career last summer by playing in six postseason games with the Spurs after sitting out the regular season. He led the league in points per game in 2002-03 (32.1) and 2003-04 (28.0).
The Skeeters, who play their games just outside Houston, are managed by former major league All-Star Gary Gaetti and had ex-major leaguers such as Scott Elarton, Jason Lane and Fernando Perez on the team last season. Roger Clemens briefly pitched for the club in 2012.
Clemens recently watched McGrady throw, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle, and said McGrady wasn’t quite ready for game action as is.
“He’s not there yet,” Clemens said. "[He] needs more time to react to live hitters and calls coming back [toward] him.”
