Penny Hardaway

Penny Hardaway: Orlando Magic legend, four-time All-Star, and three-time All-NBA selection.

Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway (born July 18, 1971) is an American college basketball coach and former professional player who is the head coach of the Memphis Tigers men's team in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Hardaway played college basketball at Memphis and 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was a four-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Team member as a member of the Orlando Magic. He also played for the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and the Miami Heat.

Quick Facts

Position: Head coach
League: American Athletic Conference
Team: Memphis Tigers
Born: 18 July 1971
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
High school: Treadwell (Memphis, Tennessee)
College: Memphis (1991–1993)
Draft round: 1

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.

Reader's Guide

Hardaway played point guard in college and started his NBA career at shooting guard, learning from Scott Skiles. 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.