Tracy McGrady Joins ESPN As NBA Analyst

Tracy McGrady had a brief interlude of playing professional baseball since retiring from the NBA, but he will now make practical use of his basketball knowledge and explore a new career frontier. 

The Associated Press' Brian Mahoney reported Monday that McGrady joined ESPN to be an NBA analyst and will regularly appear on Rachel Nichols' new show, The Jump, which begins Thursday.

McGrady was a seven-time All-Star whose career could have been even more accomplished if not for nagging injuries.

He went straight to the pros from high school—which is no longer allowed—and lived up to the hype. Peaking with the Orlando Magic, McGrady averaged 32.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game in the 2002-03 season.

The 36-year-old only retired from the NBA in August 2013, so he hasn't been away from the game for long. It appears he still has a passion for it in light of his decision to expand his basketball horizons.

Perhaps most interesting will be McGrady's perspective on top-tier NBA draft prospects, who are now required to be one year removed from high school before making the leap to the league. McGrady's insight on lottery picks and elite talent alone would make him a tremendous asset.

Not only could the former basketball prodigy personally relate to possessing extraordinary skills, but McGrady could also elaborate on the psychology that allows a young player to fulfill his potential.