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Ex-Gopher Lawrence McKenzie went from NBA dreams to rap success

Driving through his hometown of Minneapolis, passing Patrick Henry High School, Target Center and eventually Williams Arena, Lawrence McKenzie traces the path basketball took him on.

He is grateful.

But as rapper Mac Irv, he hopes music can take him even further.

I left you once and came right back/ To represent you in the league/ I wore your name across my chest/ You stayed so close to my heart.

McKenzie quit basketball in 2011 because of a serious hip injury that cut short a pro career overseas and in the NBA Development League.