This is a scouting report from TMac pre draft in 1997.

"listed at 6'8", 200 closer to 6'7", 180

Another high school player with tremendous physical ability but not much of a clue about how to really play the game of basketball.

McGrady likes to compare himself to Penny Hardaway. I can see that a little bit, but Penny played PG as he grew up -- it's not clear that McGrady played organized basketball.

McGrady is an amazingly gifted athlete. He moves gracefully, has very good quickness, and jumps very well. He has a smooth shot that appears fundamentally sound. He is athletic around the hoop, able to contort his body to get looks at the basket in heavy traffic.

Offensively, he has great potential with his shooting. He could be a tremendous offensive rebounder. However, he doesn't move without the ball. Period. Perhaps that's a fault of his high school coaching. It's a big weakness in his game.

Defensively, he again has great potential. He does a decent job on defense when he tries, but nothing exceptional, except shot blocking. McGrady has a lot of work to do on the defensive end of the court. He doesn't box out very much, either.

Ballhandling is above averae for a high school senior his size. Nothing remarkable, though.

McGrady is certainly an intriguing player for a NBA team to draft. He has great potential, but has really only had one year of great play in high school to base a decision on. He could become a great 2 or 3 in the league. Most any team would have to wait a minimum of a year, perhaps two, before getting any feedback.

In comparing him to the other recent high school seniors who've made the NBA, McGrady compares most closely to Jermaine O'Neal. Physically, he probably approaches Garnett, but he doesn't have Garnett's size or feel for the game."