Conrad McRae
Encyclopedia
Conrad Bastien McRae (January 11, 1971 – July 10, 2000) was an American professional basketball
player who was selected by the Washington Bullets
in the 2nd round (38th overall) of the 1993 NBA Draft
. McRae's professional career flourished overseas in Europe for teams in France, Italy, Greece and Turkey. In the summer of 2000, McRae collapsed and died during a practice with the Orlando Magic
's summer league team at the University of California, Irvine
.
where he excelled at basketball. He earned the nickname "McNasty" while playing in Entertainers Basketball Classic in Harlem
's famous Rucker Park
. In high school, McRae was named PSAL High School All-City from 1986–89, selected to the 1989 McDonald's All-American Team
, and participated in the Junior Olympics.
He accepted a scholarship to Syracuse University
, playing under basketball coach Jim Boeheim
. While at Syracuse
, McRae became a member of Phi Beta Sigma
fraternity (Theta Xi Chapter). Though he did not immediately garner many minutes, his tenacity, athleticism and defensive skills turned him into a second round draft pick in 1993
by the Washington Bullets
. McRae never played in the NBA, but played on home soil for the Fort Wayne Fury
of the CBA
in 1994.
to win European Championship Korać Cup
of 1996, and also reached the Italian championship
finals in the 1996–97 season with Fortitudo Bologna
.
McRae collapsed and died while running windsprints during an Orlando Magic
summer league practice. An autopsy failed to determine the cause of death, but McRae had a history of arrythmia; in 1999, McRae signed a 10-day contract with the Denver Nuggets but it was terminated after he fainted before a game.
Fenerbahçe
(1993–94) Pau Orthez
(1994–95) Efes Pilsen (1995–96)
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who was selected by the Washington Bullets
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
in the 2nd round (38th overall) of the 1993 NBA Draft
1993 NBA Draft
The 1993 NBA Draft took place on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The draft had some talented players at the top, but injuries and personal problems hurt many of them. Anfernee Hardaway, Allan Houston, and Jamal Mashburn all looked like possible Hall of Famers until their careers were cut...
. McRae's professional career flourished overseas in Europe for teams in France, Italy, Greece and Turkey. In the summer of 2000, McRae collapsed and died during a practice with the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
's summer league team at the University of California, Irvine
University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
.
NCAA
McRae attended Brooklyn Technical High SchoolBrooklyn Technical High School
Brooklyn Technical High School, commonly called Brooklyn Tech or just Tech, and also administratively as High School 430, is a New York City public high school that specializes in engineering, math and science and is the largest specialized high school for science, technology, engineering, and...
where he excelled at basketball. He earned the nickname "McNasty" while playing in Entertainers Basketball Classic in Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
's famous Rucker Park
Rucker Park
Rucker Park is a basketball court in the Harlem neighborhood of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is located at 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard across the street from the former Polo Grounds site...
. In high school, McRae was named PSAL High School All-City from 1986–89, selected to the 1989 McDonald's All-American Team
McDonald's All-American Team
The McDonald's All-American Game refers to each of the all-star basketball games played each year for boys' and girls' high-school basketball graduates. Consisting of the top American and Canadian players, each team plays a single exhibition game after the conclusion of the high-school basketball...
, and participated in the Junior Olympics.
He accepted a scholarship to Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, playing under basketball coach Jim Boeheim
Jim Boeheim
James Arthur "Jim" Boeheim is the head coach of the men's basketball team at Syracuse University. Boeheim has guided the Orange to eight Big East regular season championships, five Big East Tournament championships, and 28 NCAA Tournament appearances, including three appearances in the national...
. While at Syracuse
Syracuse Orange men's basketball
The Syracuse Orange men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball team representing Syracuse University. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
, McRae became a member of Phi Beta Sigma
Phi Beta Sigma
Phi Beta Sigma is a predominantly African-American fraternity which was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The founders A. Langston Taylor, Leonard F. Morse, and Charles I...
fraternity (Theta Xi Chapter). Though he did not immediately garner many minutes, his tenacity, athleticism and defensive skills turned him into a second round draft pick in 1993
1993 NBA Draft
The 1993 NBA Draft took place on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The draft had some talented players at the top, but injuries and personal problems hurt many of them. Anfernee Hardaway, Allan Houston, and Jamal Mashburn all looked like possible Hall of Famers until their careers were cut...
by the Washington Bullets
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
. McRae never played in the NBA, but played on home soil for the Fort Wayne Fury
Fort Wayne Fury
The Fort Wayne Fury was a team in the Continental Basketball Association from 1991 through the cessation of the CBA on February 8, 2001.-History:...
of the CBA
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
in 1994.
Europe
He moved on to play in Europe, eventually starring on several European clubs in Turkey, France, Italy and Greece. He helped Efes Pilsen S.K. of IstanbulIstanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
to win European Championship Korać Cup
Korac Cup
The Korać Cup was an annual basketball club competition held by FIBA between the 1971-72 and 2001-02 seasons. It was the third-tier level club competition in European basketball, after the European Champions' Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup...
of 1996, and also reached the Italian championship
Serie A (basketball)
Lega Basket Serie A is the highest level club competition in Italian professional basketball where play determines the national champion. The season consists of a home-and-away schedule of 30 games, followed by an eight-team playoff round. Quarterfinals and semifinals series are best-of-five, and...
finals in the 1996–97 season with Fortitudo Bologna
Fortitudo Bologna
Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna is an Legadue Basket professional basketball club that is based in Bologna. It's currently sponsored by Conad.-History:...
.
McRae collapsed and died while running windsprints during an Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
summer league practice. An autopsy failed to determine the cause of death, but McRae had a history of arrythmia; in 1999, McRae signed a 10-day contract with the Denver Nuggets but it was terminated after he fainted before a game.
Fenerbahçe
Fenerbahçe Ülker
Fenerbahçe Ülker is the professional men's basketball department of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major multisport club based in Istanbul, Turkey. The department has been sponsored by the Ülker since 2006. In 2006 Fenerbahçe S.K...
(1993–94) Pau Orthez
Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez
The Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez is a French professional basketball club that is based in Pau. They play their home games at the Palais des Sports de Pau.- History :...
(1994–95) Efes Pilsen (1995–96)
-
- Korać CupKorac CupThe Korać Cup was an annual basketball club competition held by FIBA between the 1971-72 and 2001-02 seasons. It was the third-tier level club competition in European basketball, after the European Champions' Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup...
Winner: 1995-96 
Turkish Basketball LeagueTurkish Basketball LeagueThe Turkish Basketball League is the top men’s professional basketball league in Turkey, which is also called Turkish Premier Basketball League . There is also a Turkish Second Basketball League consisting of 2 divisions .-History:The first basketball game played in Turkey was at the Robert...
Winner: 1995–96- Turkish CupTurkish Cup BasketballThe Turkish Cup is a basketball cup competition in Turkish basketball, run by the Turkish Basketball Federation since 1967. Its current sponsored name is the Spor Toto Turkish Cup.-Champions:...
Winner: 1996 Teamsystem BolognaFortitudo BolognaFortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna is an Legadue Basket professional basketball club that is based in Bologna. It's currently sponsored by Conad.-History:...
(1996–97) PAOKPAOK BCP.A.O.K. Thessaloniki B.C. is the professional basketball department of the Greek multi-sports club P.A.O.K., originally founded in 1926 and is based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club has established a firm reputation in Greek sports, especially for its success in European leagues...
(1997–98) - Greek Basket League Runner-up: 1997-98 FenerbahçeFenerbahçe ÜlkerFenerbahçe Ülker is the professional men's basketball department of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major multisport club based in Istanbul, Turkey. The department has been sponsored by the Ülker since 2006. In 2006 Fenerbahçe S.K...
(1998–99) - Turkish CupTurkish Cup BasketballThe Turkish Cup is a basketball cup competition in Turkish basketball, run by the Turkish Basketball Federation since 1967. Its current sponsored name is the Spor Toto Turkish Cup.-Champions:...
Runner-up: 1998-99 Telit TriestePallacanestro TriestePallacanestro Trieste 2004, also known for sponsorship reasons as Acegas A.P.S. Trieste is an Italian professional basketball team from the town of Trieste....
(1999–00)
- Korać Cup