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VKTRY GEAR, the fast growing, industry leader in Performance Insoles, today announced that Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady has joined the company as both a brand ambassador and a member of their growing athlete advisory team. McGrady’s expansive experience as an athlete both in North America and Asia, as well as now being an elite youth basketball coach, will be key as VKTRY expands deeper into basketball on every level.
“We are very proud to have an NBA Legend like Tracy McGrady joining Team VKTRY as both a spokesperson and advisor,” said Steve Wasik VKTRY CEO. “It seems only natural that one of the most explosive scorers of his generation is now representing the most explosive sports insole ever created. As an elite athlete and now coach for one of the best AAU programs in America, Tracy’s experience is incredibly helpful as the VKTRY business continues to grow.”
“In basketball, jumping a couple inches higher and having a more explosive first step, makes a huge difference in your game,” McGrady added. “Besides the performance benefits, I really like the added stability and shock absorption you get with VKs which helps to protect against injuries. I think all athletes, parents and coaches should try VKTRY Insoles for themselves – I’m glad I did.”
Tracy McGrady was one of the toughest competitors during his 15-year NBA career. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, two-time NBA scoring champion, and winner of the NBA Most Improved Player Award. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2017. McGrady entered the NBA straight out of high school and was selected as the ninth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in the 1997 NBA draft. In 2000, he left the Raptors for the Orlando Magic, where he became one of the league’s most prolific scorers and a candidate for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. In 2004, he was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he paired with center Yao Ming to help the Rockets become a perennial playoff team. He retired in 2013 following a brief stint with the Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and the San Antonio Spurs.
Made from aerospace-grade carbon fiber, VKTRY Insoles store and return energy to the athlete. They also provide a “spring-like” effect to improve shock absorption and reduce the load and stress on the athlete’s body. In independent performance testing, athletes wearing VKs increased their broad jump by an average of +4.0”, their vert by +1.6” and improved their 40 times by 0.12 seconds.
VKTRY Insoles are available in five different levels of flexibility to optimize performance, protection and comfort. Athletes at more than 300 professional and college teams wear VKTRY Insoles for training and competition. A recent study of 263 NCAA athletes showed 41% less foot injuries and 22% less lower leg injuries when athletes use VKs.
During the 2020 NFL season, a record number of over 200 NFL players, from 29 of 32 clubs, wore VKTRY’S carbon fiber insoles, a 300% increase from 2019. Some of the brightest young stars and respected veterans in the NFL, including Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb, LV Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, Washington RB Antonio Gibson, Buffalo Bills RB Devin Singletary, SF 49ers WR “Deebo” Samuel, Seattle Seahawks WR DK Metcalf, NY Jets Williams, Buffalo Bills CB Josh Norman, Chicago Bears WR Anthony Miller, LA Chargers OT Brian Bulaga, Denver Broncos TE Noah Fant, New York Giants TE Evan Engram, Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson, Pittsburgh Steelers LB Devin Bush and many more are now part of the VKTRY using team. Players from every Power Five Conference used VKs for the first time during their Pro Days, with a record 74 2021 NFL Draftees
VKTRY Insoles were originally invented for the US Olympic Bobsled Team to improve athletic explosiveness. In 2010, these carbon fiber insoles helped Team USA win gold in the 4-man bobsled – first time in 62 years. Now, more and more people are discovering the benefits of energy return, improved stability and the shock absorption that VKs provide.