D-Mac: from streetball to pro stardom

Darryl McDonald in his college days at Texas A&M

Darryl “D-Mac” McDonald started his basketball career as many do, as a streetballer from Harlem, taking scalps in Summer tournaments at courts like Rucker Park. He parlayed that start into a pro career in various leagues, culminating in nigh on 500 games of National Basketball League hoops in Australia, followed by a coaching career.

D-Mac first brought his smooth style to Australia in the 1994 NBL season, immediately taking the North Melbourne Giants to the title that year — the first of three in his career downunder. To give you an idea of the impact he has had in Australia, the final playing contract he signed took him through his 44th birthday.

The D-Mac story coming up is an interesting one and full credit must be given to the Melbourne Tigers here, along with Tommy Greer and of course above all else to D-Mac himself, for embracing social media and releasing the interview below. The comparison made in McDonald’s story is to television series The Wire — and it certainly sounds like a fair parallel.

Have a listen to this compelling interview with D-Mac, conducted by his former teammate and current Melbourne Tiger, Greer.