Penny Hardaway

Anfernee Hardaway, always known as Penny, won a gold medal with the USA team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Hardaway was a tall point guard who played in college in his hometown of Memphis at Memphis State University (later known as the University of Memphis). Hardaway played three years at Memphis State, but entered the NBA draft before his senior season. He came back to graduate from the university in 2003.

Hardaway was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the first round (third overall) of the 1993 NBA Draft, but was traded to the Orlando Magic on draft night. At Orlando he teamed with Shaquille O’Neal to lead the Magic to the NBA finals in 1995, losing to the Houston Rockets. Hardaway played with Orlando through 1999, when he was traded to the Phoenix Suns. He played for the Suns through 2004, and then his final three years in the league were with the New York Knicks (2004-06) and the Miami Heat (2007). In his last few years, injuries slowed his game and he was less effective. During his NBA career he averaged 15.5 ppg, and 5.0 assists/game. He was named to the NBA All-Star first team in 1995 and 1996, and the third team in 1997. Hardaway played in four NBA All-Star games, consecutively from 1995-98.

In 2011 Hardaway began coaching the Lester Middle School in his hometown. In early 2018, he was named the new coach at the University of Memphis, returning to his alma mater.