http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/84...pens-thank-nba

Seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady says he is headed for China to play for the Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association.

McGrady, 33, will be the highest-profile player in the CBA. Because he played with Chinese basketball star Yao Ming during their days with the Houston Rockets, he is well known in China, and his contract has been the top news on China's major sports news sites.

A woman who answered the phone Wednesday at the basketball club said she had no information. McGrady's announcement on his website Tuesday did not give terms for the one-year contract. Chinese media reports say the contract is worth at least $1 million.

McGrady said he is excited to play for the Eagles in eastern China and that "it will be an honor" to play for the Chinese people.

McGrady's announcement reads like a farewell to the NBA, and he thanks various players, past and present, for educating him.

"I consider myself a student of the game as I have watched, studied and played with and against the best players in the world," McGrady wrote in his blog post. "The NBA was my University and I learned so much. The gratitude I feel is really immeasurable. I have experienced the best moments a player can experience and have had some dark ones too. Both equally important in helping shape me into the man I am today."