Darfur Gets McGrady's Attention

On a visit to his home town of Auburndale, Fla., Tracy McGrady found students interested in learning about how to help a conflict-torn region in Africa. (By Gary Bassing -- Nbae/getty Images)

"It was the hardest thing I had to do in my life," he said, "but it was a great trip. I'm glad I took it."

John Prendergast, who has worked on crisis issues in Africa for 25 years and served on the White House National Security Council during the Clinton administration, organized McGrady's visit and is guiding him through this project. Prendergast co-wrote "Not on Our Watch," a best-selling book about the Darfur crisis with actor Don Cheadle, and has worked with other celebrities, such as George Clooney and Angelina Jolie.

An avid basketball fan, Prendergast was initially cautious about getting involved with a person he knew only as "T-Mac on the TV." He worried that this could be "a fly-by-night trip, where he gets some positive publicity, shows up, bye, and there is no impact." But Prendergast also believed that if McGrady came to Darfur and was moved, the NBA superstar could return and influence a different audience to take action.

Prendergast saw the potential of that influence two weeks ago when he, McGrady, and Omer Ismail, a native of Sudan and founder of the Darfur Peace and Development advocacy group, went back to McGrady's former high school in Auburndale to kick off his sister schools initiative. They spoke to about 400 students and showed them a 10-minute preview of the documentary chronicling McGrady's visit.

Afterward, Prendergast said McGrady was rushed by dozens of students seeking not autographs, but more information about how they could help.

"I think he has partly found a purpose," Prendergast said of McGrady. "He seems like he's going to be a lifelong advocate instead of a hit-and-run artist."

Cleveland Cavaliers reserve Ira Newble brought attention to concerns in Darfur during the playoffs last season when he issued a letter -- signed by most of his teammates and other NBA players such as Washington Wizard Etan Thomas -- directed at China, a major importer of Sudan's oil and the host country for this summer's Olympics. Newble also visited Darfur camps last summer as part of a group called Dream for Darfur, which includes actress Mia Farrow. He was excited that McGrady has taken up the cause for Darfur. "Any NBA person can have a voice, but obviously if it's somebody like Tracy McGrady or an all-star caliber player, it definitely can reach more people," Newble said in a phone interview. "I'm glad that he's stepping up to do what he can."

Prendergast is attempting to market the documentary to HBO and ESPN. He also expects the NBA to get involved in some capacity.

McGrady has already committed $75,000 to build a school in the Djabal camp he visited in eastern Chad. He mailed invitation packages last week to 11 other NBA players, asking them to get involved and become "principals" for the other schools.

His stance is unusual: High-profile professional athletes often shun political causes for fear it will hurt their business interests. "I didn't think about it at all. Wasn't a concern," McGrady said. "It's something that crept up on me. It happened, I'm in it. I believe I was put here to do things like that."