Durham Teen Lured to NBA, Endorsement

Next week, McGrady is expected to become the fourth basketball player to go straight from high school to playing professionally.

Kevin Garnett was chosen by Minnesota two years ago and last year Kobe Bryant was selected by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to theLos Angeles Lakers. Jermaine O'Neal was picked by the PortlandTrailblazers last year.

McGrady thinks he'll go in the top ten of next week's draft, butfor now, the big question for the young athlete is whether dollarswill be more important than books in his future.

WRAL-TV5's Robert Carver askedMcGrady if he is concerned about the message he'll be sending youngerplayers. McGrady said he doesn't encourage kids to skip college to followtheir hoop dreams; each person is entitled to his own opinion, he said, and has to do what is best for hisfuture.

Some will look at this and say the point of going to college is toprepare for a better-paying job. Unless somethingunforeseen happens to him, McGrady's certainly got one of thoseeven without a degree, but that's a big if. He says he feels lucky.

McGrady grew up playing pick-up ball in Auburndale, Fla. After ayear at Durham's Mt. Zion Christian Academy, the 18-year-old pointforward is bypassing college and headed to next week's NBA draft armedwith talent and a $12 million shoe endorsement deal with Adidas. McGradysays he's excited about the draft.

But many wonder what kind of example that sets for kids who look up tobig-time ball players. Anthony Doberson, 9, would love to hit the prohardwoods one day. But given the choice of the NBA or staying in school, hesayshe'd opt for education.

Joel Hopkins, McGrady's high school coach, says he has encouraged hisrising star to take college courses.

McGrady says he knows education is important, but he wants other thingsright now.

McGrady says he plans to take his coach's advice and take some collegeclasses in the NBA's off-season. Right now he'sgot other things on his mind.

Millions of other things.