Penny Hardaway

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hardaway was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1993 NBA draft (third pick overall), but was traded along with three future first-round picks to the Orlando Magic for the rights to first overall pick Chris Webber. He signed a 13-year, $65 million contract, which contained an escape clause after his rookie season. Following the 1994 season, Hardaway exercised his escape clause and re-signed in mid-October on a 9-year, $72 million contract, which again had an option after the fifth year. He was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1995–96.

In Their Own Story

The 1997 playoffs against the Miami Heat remain etched in Magic history. Facing elimination after dropping the first two games, Hardaway erupted for 42 points in Game 3 and followed with 41 points in Game 4 to force a Game 5 in Miami. He became the first player in NBA history to score 40 or more points in consecutive playoff games while his team scored fewer than 100 points per game. Although Orlando eventually fell, Hardaway averaged 31 points for that series, finishing just behind Michael Jordan's scoring average. Earlier in his career, a devastating knee injury sustained during the 1996 playoffs against Detroit—where Joe Dumars hit him in the back of the knee—robbed him of his explosiveness after he played through the pain and underwent off-season surgery. Despite this, he was voted as an All-Star starter for four consecutive years from 1995 to 1998.

Reader's Guide

Hardaway played point guard in college and started his NBA career at shooting guard, learning from Scott Skiles. He won the MVP award at the inaugural Rookie Game (the source does not specify the name 'Schick Rookie Game' at that time). He helped the Magic to their first playoff berth and first 50-win season, averaging 16 points, 6.6 assists, 5.4 rebounds per game as a rookie. In 1994–95, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, was named an All-Star starter, and led the Magic to the NBA Finals. In 1995–96, he averaged 21.7 points, 7.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds, was named to the All-NBA First Team, and finished third in MVP voting.

Did You Know?

• Hardaway's nickname 'Penny' came from his grandmother calling him 'Pretty' with a southern drawl.
• He wore #1 on his jersey in part because a penny is worth one cent.
• Hardaway was shot in the foot by a stray bullet while sitting out his freshman season due to academic ineligibility.
• He graduated from the University of Memphis in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in professional studies, ten years after leaving early for the NBA.