McGrady, the second NBA star to visit Hong Kong this summer after Lebron James, said he was looking forward to the tour. 'I had the opportunity to visit China last summer and knew it was a place I wanted to come back to,' he said.

McGrady, 26, will first travel to Beijing, followed by Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei.

He will participate in several events aimed at developing basketball in the region.

McGrady played alongside his Rockets teammate Yao Ming during his Asia tour last summer. McGrady says that experience helped him gain respect from Asians.

'I experienced so many great things last year and I hope that this trip will allow me the opportunity to give back something to young people in Asia through a number of interactive events that adidas has planned,' he added. The NBA's leading scorer in 2003-04 will be promoting a new line of sports shoes called T-Mac 5 Asian Limited Edition.

The 2.10-metre-tall player will arrive on Wednesday afternoon by private jet and will be in Hong Kong for just 24 hours.

He will stay overnight at the Grand Hyatt, in Wan Chai.

The best young players from the 2005 adidas Streetball Challenge will be invited to join activities at the HKCEC.

Among them is outstanding school athlete award winner Tse Man-chun. 'T-Mac is one of my all-time basketball idols along with Kobe Bryant. I'm really looking forward to meeting him in person,' said the 18-year-old from YCH Tung Chi Ying Memorial School in Sha Tin.

'If I get the chance I will ask him how he keeps calm and shoots well when he is under pressure. I also want to know how he maintains such a high standard.'

Seeing NBA superstars in Hong Kong is a huge motivation for young players, said Raymond Leung Wai-man, development director at the Hong Kong Basketball Association.

'Stars like McGrady set a good example,' Mr Leung said. 'Hopefully he will practise with the locals. That would really inspire them.'