"Penny" Hardaway is a prominent figure in basketball, known for his successful career as both a player and coach. After showcasing his skills at the collegiate level with the Memphis Tigers, Hardaway spent fourteen seasons in the NBA, earning accolades such as four NBA All-Star selections and two All-NBA First Team honors. Currently, he serves as the head coach of his alma mater's men's basketball team in the American Athletic Conference.
1951: Birth of Penny Hardaway's Mother
Fae Hardaway, Penny Hardaway's mother, was born in 1951.
July 18, 1971: Birth
Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway was born on July 18, 1971.
1974: Relocation to Oakland
Penny Hardaway's mother, Fae, moved to Oakland in 1974, leaving him to be raised by his grandmother.
1990: Academic Ineligibility at Memphis State
Penny Hardaway was deemed academically ineligible to play for the Memphis State Tigers during the 1990-1991 season due to low grades, according to Proposition 48 regulations.
1992: Successful Junior Season at Memphis State
During his junior season in 1992-1993, Penny Hardaway excelled, showcasing impressive statistics and earning All-American honors. He was also a finalist for prestigious awards like the Naismith College Player of the Year and the John R. Wooden Award.
1992: Birth of Daughter
In 1992, Penny Hardaway's first daughter was born with his former high school girlfriend.
1992: Selection to USA Basketball Developmental Team
Penny Hardaway was chosen to be a part of the 1992 USA Basketball Developmental Team, which practiced against the 1992 Olympic Team.
1993: Entry into the NBA Draft
Penny Hardaway decided to forgo his senior season and entered the 1993 NBA Draft.
1993: NBA Draft and Trade
Penny Hardaway was drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the third overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft. However, he was immediately traded to the Orlando Magic for Chris Webber, the first overall pick. This trade was driven by Hardaway's desire to play alongside Shaquille O'Neal in Orlando.
1994: Jersey Retirement
Memphis State University retired Penny Hardaway's jersey number, 25, in 1994 to honor his contributions to the Tigers basketball program.
1994: Breakout Season with the Orlando Magic
During the 1994-1995 NBA season, Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal led the Orlando Magic to a franchise record of 57 wins. Hardaway's performance earned him his first All-Star Game appearance and a spot on the All-NBA First Team. The Magic reached the NBA Finals but were swept by the Houston Rockets.
1994: Acting Debut in "Blue Chips"
Before entering the NBA, Penny Hardaway showcased his acting skills in the 1994 college basketball film "Blue Chips." He starred alongside future Orlando Magic teammate Shaquille O'Neal, with both portraying college freshmen on a fictional university basketball team.
1995: Birth of Second Daughter
In 1995, Hardaway's second daughter was born with his former high school girlfriend.
1995: Leading the Magic in Shaq's Absence
With Shaquille O'Neal sidelined due to injury at the start of the 1995-1996 NBA season, Penny Hardaway stepped up to lead the Orlando Magic to a strong 17-5 start. His exceptional performance earned him NBA Player of the Month honors for November, his second consecutive All-Star Game start, and a place on the All-NBA First Team.
1996: Knee Injury in Playoffs
During a 1996 playoff game against the Detroit Pistons, Penny Hardaway sustained his first significant knee injury after a collision with Joe Dumars. Despite the injury, he continued to play, but later admitted that it had a lasting impact on his explosiveness.
1996: Leading the Magic After Shaq's Departure
Following Shaquille O'Neal's departure to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1996 offseason, Penny Hardaway became the Orlando Magic's primary star player. Despite battling injuries, he earned his third consecutive NBA All-Star Game start. The Magic reached the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by the Miami Heat, despite Hardaway's impressive scoring performances, including back-to-back 40-point games.
1996: Olympic Gold Medal
Penny Hardaway was a key player on the 1996 US Olympic Games Basketball Team, contributing to their gold medal victory. He showcased strong performances throughout the tournament, particularly in the quarterfinal against Brazil and the final against Yugoslavia.
1997: Knee Injury and All-Star Game Appearance
Early in the 1997-1998 NBA season, Penny Hardaway suffered a severe left knee injury that required surgery and forced him to miss most of the season. He returned to play in the NBA All-Star Game but was criticized for potentially rushing his comeback. He only played in 19 games that season.
1999: Return to the Magic
During the lockout-shortened 1999 NBA season, Penny Hardaway returned to play for the Orlando Magic. He played in all 50 regular-season games, leading the team to share the best regular-season record in the Eastern Conference. He averaged 15.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.
1999: Trade to the Phoenix Suns
In the summer of 1999, Penny Hardaway was traded to the Phoenix Suns. The trade was initiated at the urging of Suns' point guard Jason Kidd, who wanted to team up with Hardaway.
1999: Joining the Suns
Penny Hardaway joined the Phoenix Suns via a sign-and-trade agreement with the Orlando Magic before the start of the 1999–2000 NBA season. This move created a highly anticipated backcourt pairing with fellow All-Star guard Jason Kidd, dubbed "BackCourt 2000" by the Suns.
2000: Sidelined by Knee Injuries
Penny Hardaway's 2000-2001 NBA season was significantly hampered by two microfracture surgeries on his left knee. These injuries limited him to only four games throughout the entire season.
2000: Playoff Run with the Suns
Despite injuries, the Phoenix Suns, led by Penny Hardaway and Jason Kidd, made the playoffs in 2000. They defeated the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Hardaway recorded a triple-double in a crucial Game 3 victory. They ultimately fell to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the Conference Semi-Finals.
2001: Return to Health and Adjusting to a New Role
Penny Hardaway returned to full health for the 2001-2002 NBA season, playing in 80 regular-season games. However, the departure of Jason Kidd and the arrival of Stephon Marbury led to a shift in the team's playing style. Hardaway had to adjust to a new role, eventually coming off the bench for the first time in his career.
2002: Veteran Presence and a Hand Injury
Penny Hardaway began the 2002-2003 NBA season as a bench player for the Phoenix Suns but regained a starting role due to inconsistent play from Joe Johnson. While his veteran presence proved valuable, a hand injury forced him to miss 24 games. He returned to action in time to record a triple-double against the Dallas Mavericks on April 9th.
May 2003: Graduation from the University of Memphis
In May 2003, Penny Hardaway graduated from the University of Memphis with a bachelor's degree in professional studies, ten years after leaving early to pursue his NBA career.
2003: In and Out of the Lineup and Trade to the Knicks
Penny Hardaway's time with the Phoenix Suns continued to be marked by inconsistency in the 2003–2004 NBA season, as he frequently moved in and out of the starting lineup. This season marked the end of his tenure with the Suns, as he was traded to the New York Knicks on January 6, 2004, alongside Stephon Marbury and Cezary Trybański. The trade sent Howard Eisley, Maciej Lampe, Charlie Ward, Antonio McDyess, the draft rights to Miloš Vujanić, and two first-round draft picks to Phoenix.
January 6, 2004: Trade to the New York Knicks
On January 6, 2004, Penny Hardaway was traded to the New York Knicks along with Stephon Marbury and Cezary Trybański. In exchange, the Suns received Howard Eisley, Maciej Lampe, Charlie Ward, Antonio McDyess, the draft rights to Miloš Vujanić, and two future first-round draft picks.
2004: Playoff Run with the Knicks
After being traded to the Knicks, Penny Hardaway played a crucial role in helping the team reach the 2004 NBA Playoffs. Despite a first-round exit against the New Jersey Nets, Hardaway led the Knicks in scoring in two playoff games and maintained a strong overall performance throughout the series.
2004: Battling Injuries
Injuries plagued Penny Hardaway throughout the 2004-2005 NBA season. Despite a brief period of solid performance mid-season, he only participated in 37 games.
2005: Limited Playing Time Due to Injuries
The 2005-2006 NBA season saw Penny Hardaway's playing time severely limited due to ongoing issues with arthritic knees. He only managed to participate in four games while attempting to rehabilitate.
February 22, 2006: Traded back to Orlando and Waived
On February 22, 2006, Penny Hardaway was traded back to the Orlando Magic alongside Trevor Ariza in exchange for Steve Francis. However, his return to Orlando was short-lived, as the Magic waived him only five days later.
August 9, 2007: Signing with the Miami Heat
Penny Hardaway signed with the Miami Heat on August 9, 2007, reuniting him with his former teammate Shaquille O'Neal. This marked the first time in his professional career that he wore a jersey number other than his trademark number 1, opting for number 7 instead.
December 12, 2007: Waived by the Miami Heat
Penny Hardaway's time with the Miami Heat was cut short when the team waived him on December 12, 2007, to create roster space for free agent Luke Jackson. Despite showing flashes of his former skill, including a season-high 16-point performance against the New Jersey Nets, his stint with the Heat lasted only 16 games.
2010: Revitalization of Bluff City Classic
In 2010, Hardaway helped revitalize the Bluff City Classic, a summer basketball league offering high-level competition for players from college, professional, and elite high school ranks.
2011: Announcement of FastBreak Courts Sportsplex
In 2011, Hardaway announced plans for a $20 million multi-sports facility named FastBreak Courts Sportsplex in Cordova. The complex was projected to significantly boost the Memphis-area economy.
2011: Coaching at Lester Middle School
Penny Hardaway stepped into the role of coach for his former middle school, Lester Middle School, in 2011. He took over for his friend Desmond Merriweather, who was battling colon cancer. Emphasizing academics alongside athletics, Hardaway implemented a mandatory tutoring program for his players and guided the Lester Lions to an impressive 28-3 record, culminating in a West Tennessee State title victory.
2012: Purchase of Minority Stake in Memphis Grizzlies
In 2012, Hardaway joined an ownership group, including Peyton Manning and Justin Timberlake, to purchase a minority stake in the Memphis Grizzlies.
2016: Featured in "This Magic Moment"
Penny Hardaway's time with the Orlando Magic was revisited in the 2016 ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "This Magic Moment." The film delved into the mid-1990s Magic teams led by Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal, capturing the excitement and impact of their partnership on the court.
2017: Son in High School
In 2017, Hardaway's son was a sophomore in high school.
March 19, 2018: Head Coach at Memphis
On March 19, 2018, Penny Hardaway was appointed as the head coach for the Memphis Tigers, his alma mater, replacing Tubby Smith. This move marked a significant step in his coaching career, returning him to his collegiate roots.
May 17, 2019: Landing a Top Recruit
Penny Hardaway made a significant splash in the recruiting world on May 17, 2019, when top-20 five-star recruit Precious Achiuwa committed to playing for Memphis. This signing highlighted Hardaway's growing influence and ability to attract top talent to the program.
December 29, 2023: Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Nomination
On December 29, 2023, Hardaway received his first-ever nomination for induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
2023: Success with Memphis
In 2023, Penny Hardaway led the Memphis Tigers to an American Athletic Conference championship, securing their place in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Although their tournament run ended with a controversial loss to FAU, Hardaway's success in building a competitive program was evident.