Kristian Ferrell
Anfernee Penny Hardaway is a basketball legend. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Hardaway rose to prominence as a basketball player at Treadwell High School and later the University of Memphis, where he was often compared to Magic Johnson. After a successful college career, Hardaway joined the NBA, playing for teams including the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns. Hardaway's career spanned 16 seasons, during which he earned over $120 million and achieved numerous accolades, including being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and winning a gold medal with the Dream Team, the second U.S. Olympic team comprising NBA players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway |
| Date of Birth | July 18, 1971 |
| Hometown | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Alma Mater | University of Memphis |
| Professional Career | Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Miami Heat |
| Career Highlights | NBA All-Rookie First Team, Gold Medal with the U.S. Olympic Team, Named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame |
| Post-Playing Career | Head Coach of Memphis Tigers, Boys Basketball Coach at Memphis East High School |
| Personal Life | Two sons, Jayden and Ashton, and two daughters born in 1992 and 1995 |
| Philanthropy | Funded the University of Memphis Sports Hall of Fame, Supported the Bluff City Classic summer basketball league |
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What You'll Learn
Penny Hardaway's career earnings
Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, born on July 18, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee, had a 16-year career in the NBA. He played basketball in high school and later for Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), where he had to sit out a season due to low grades.
Hardaway's career earnings are estimated to be over $120 million. He has had a successful career in the NBA, playing for teams like the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat. Hardaway also starred in the Nike advertising campaign "Lil Penny," which featured a puppet version of himself voiced by Chris Rock.
After his playing career, Hardaway became a coach for the University of Memphis men's basketball team. In October 2022, the university signed him to a 6-year, $16.5 million contract extension through April 15, 2028. The annualized total compensation for the contract is $2.5 million for the 2022-23 season, $2.6 million for the 2023-24 season, and $2.7 million for the 2024-25 season.
Hardaway has also been involved in business ventures, owning a barbershop and beauty salon in downtown Memphis and a turf business in Miami. Additionally, he has contributed to sports development in Memphis, including funding the University of Memphis Sports Hall of Fame and a $20 million multi-sports facility in Cordova.
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Hardaway's time at Memphis State University
Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway grew up in Memphis, where he played basketball at Treadwell High School. He excelled at the sport, averaging 36.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.9 steals, and 2.8 blocks as a senior. He was named Parade Magazine National High School Player of the Year and finished his high school career with 3,039 points.
After high school, Hardaway enrolled at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis). However, he had to sit out the 1990-91 season with the Memphis State Tigers due to academic ineligibility. Despite his struggles with academics, Hardaway's talent was evident, and he was admitted to the university with a special exemption from the university president, Thomas G. Carpenter.
During his time at Memphis State University, Hardaway wore the number 25 jersey and excelled on the court. In the 1992 NCAA Tournament, he was named an All-American and was a finalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year and the John R. Wooden Award. These awards recognize the most outstanding player in college basketball.
Hardaway's success at Memphis State University was not limited to individual accolades. In 1993, he decided to forgo his senior season and enter the NBA draft, where he was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the third overall pick. However, he was soon traded to the Orlando Magic, where he teamed up with Shaquille O'Neal.
Even after leaving Memphis State University, Hardaway maintained a strong connection with the university and the city of Memphis. He returned to the university in 2003 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in professional studies. He also provided funding to build the University of Memphis Sports Hall of Fame, which bears his name. In 2018, he returned to his alma mater as the head coach of the Memphis Tigers basketball team, leading them to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in his first year. Hardaway has also been involved in various initiatives to promote sports in Memphis, including the revitalization of the Bluff City Classic summer basketball league in 2010.
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Hardaway's coaching staff changes
Penny Hardaway has made significant changes to his Memphis basketball coaching staff, just weeks before the 2024-25 season. Hardaway, who is no stranger to coaching staff turnover, has let go of four members of his staff, including assistant coaches Rick Stansbury, Faragi Phillips, and Jamie Rosser, as well as special advisor Demetrius Dyson. These changes come as a surprise to many, as the season is rapidly approaching.
Stansbury, who joined Hardaway's staff last year, served as the acting head coach during Hardaway's suspension for recruiting violations and went 3-0. He was considered Hardaway's top assistant and a great recruiter. Faragi Phillips had also been a two-year member of Hardaway's staff, joining prior to the 2022-2023 season, which saw the Tigers win an AAC Championship. Phillips and Hardaway's relationship goes back to their days coaching AAU and high school basketball. Jamie Rosser and Demetrius Dyson complete the list of departures, with Rosser serving as the director of player development, and Dyson as the director of player development and recruiting coordinator.
In addition to these four firings, there have been several other changes to the coaching staff. Andy Borman (assistant coach), Darby Rich (strength coach), Garrett Kelly (director of basketball operations), Jeremy Kipness (director of recruiting), and Andy Pennington (director of analytics) are among those who have left. Jermaine Johnson, the director of analytics, was initially reported to be among those let go, but sources now indicate that he will be retained.
With these changes, Hardaway aims to give his team the best opportunity to reach their goals of winning the American Conference and advancing in the NCAA Tournament. The timing of the staff changes is less than ideal, but Hardaway is committed to moving quickly to complete the staff for the upcoming season.
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Hardaway's acting career
Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway's acting career began before he was even drafted into the NBA. In 1994, he starred alongside his future Orlando Magic teammate, Shaquille O'Neal, in the college basketball film "Blue Chips". In the film, Hardaway and O'Neal portrayed college freshmen on the varsity basketball team of a fictional university.
In the mid to late 1990s, Hardaway starred in the Nike advertising campaign "Lil Penny", which featured a puppet version of Hardaway voiced by comedian Chris Rock. The campaign was a huge success and helped to promote Hardaway's signature sneaker line with Nike, which included popular models like the Nike Air Max Penny and the Nike Foamposite One.
In 2016, Hardaway was featured in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary series film "This Magic Moment", which focused on the Orlando Magic teams led by him and Shaquille O'Neal in the mid-1990s. The documentary showcased Hardaway's impact on the league, including helping the Magic to their first playoff berth and 50-win season.
While Hardaway's acting career began before his NBA debut, it was his success in the NBA that brought him widespread fame and recognition. Known for his impressive skills and All-Star performances, Hardaway became one of the NBA's greatest stars. However, his career was unfortunately cut short due to injuries, particularly a devastating left knee injury in the 1997-1998 season. Despite this, Hardaway still made over $120 million during his 16-season career and has since become a highly sought-after college coach, signing a $16.5 million contract with the Memphis Tigers in 2022.
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Hardaway's philanthropy
An acclaimed PR advisor and American adventurer, Michael Hardaway, has joined the Washington branch of Acumen, a global non-profit venture fund. However, this article is about Penny Hardaway, a basketball player and coach, who has also been involved in philanthropic activities.
Penny Hardaway, born Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, is a former basketball player and current head coach of the University of Memphis men's basketball team. Hardaway grew up in the Binghampton neighborhood of Memphis and played basketball at Treadwell High School. He later attended Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), where he had to sit out a season due to low grades. Despite this setback, he went on to have a successful 16-season career in the NBA, playing for teams like the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Knicks, and the Heat. He is known for his efforts to promote sports in his hometown of Memphis.
Hardaway has a strong connection to the University of Memphis, and in 2008, he donated $1 million to fund the construction of the University's Sports Hall of Fame building, which now bears his name. In addition to this, Hardaway has provided funding to build the University of Memphis Sports Hall of Fame and has helped revitalise the Bluff City Classic, a summer basketball league providing a high level of competition for men and women players.
In 2011, Hardaway announced plans for a permanent $20 million multi-sports facility named FastBreak Courts Sportsplex in Cordova. The complex was expected to support various sports, including basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, and wrestling. It was projected to boost the local economy and directly support 236 local jobs. Hardaway is also a member of an ownership group that purchased a minority stake in the Memphis Grizzlies, further showcasing his commitment to sports in the Memphis area.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Penny Basketball is a name used interchangeably with Penny Hardaway, a former professional basketball player and current basketball coach. Hardaway played basketball in high school and college before joining the NBA. He is now a coach for the Memphis Tigers.
Will Penny Basketball's real name is Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway.
Penny Hardaway played for the Memphis Tigers in college. He then joined the Orlando Magic and played alongside Shaquille O'Neal. He also played for the Phoenix Suns, the Knicks, and the Heat.
