McGrady headed to Qingdao?

US basketball star Tracy McGrady is close to sealing a deal to play for Qingdao DoubleStar in China with an announcement expected within days, a team official told AFP on Tuesday.

The team in the eastern city of Qingdao has reached a verbal agreement with the seven-time NBA All-Star and was waiting for McGrady to sign a contract, Qingdao General Manager Sheng Xishun said.

"Both parties have reached a verbal agreement," Sheng said. "The contract is for one year." He declined to give financial details.