Whether or not you’re a sports fan, if you hail from the 901, you know who Penny Hardaway is. The NBA All-Star player from Memphis has seen a lot of success in his career and it’s all come full circle. He’s right back where he belongs...coaching the Tigers and repping the hometown that made him.

A Strong Foundation

Anfernee Deon Hardaway was born in Memphis in 1971 to Eddie Golden and Fae Hardaway. When his mother traveled to California for a job when Anfernee was only three, he was taken in by his grandmother and lived with her in the Binghampton neighborhood throughout high school. His grandmother dubbed him “Pretty” but her Southern accent made it sounded more like “Penny” and a lifelong nickname was realized. Thanks to grandmother Louise, Penny experienced a steady childhood. He shot hoops at the Binghampton community center, played for Treadwell High School, and coached for the YMCA. On Sundays, he faithfully attended his grandmother’s church. In fact, even after Louise was too feeble to go herself, Penny went to Early Grove Baptist Church alone. He had friends, he had community, and he had a strong athletic talent. With an average of 36.6 a game, Parade Magazine named him National High School Player of the Year. Penny was becoming a hometown hero but he was going places fast.

A Hardship and a Reset

Penny went to play for Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in the Fall of 1990 but had to sit out the first season, due to academic ineligibility. During that season, Penny was robbed at gunpoint in front of his cousin’s home and shot in the foot. While recovering from surgery, he realized how close he had come to losing his chance to ever play basketball again. His passion for the sport was rekindled and he realized what he had to do to get back on the court. Penny’s priority became academics. He had been given a gift and he couldn’t let it go to waste. He ended up on the Dean’s List at Memphis State with a 3.4 GPA. By his junior year he was averaging 22.8 points per game and had achieved two triple doubles. He passed up his senior year at Memphis to go to the NBA, and was picked by the Orlando Magic, which is exactly where he wanted to be. With the Magic, Penny would get to play alongside of his friend, Shaq.

A Career of Excellence

Throughout the 90s and early 2000s, Penny played for the Phoenix Suns, the New York Knicks, and the Miami Heat. He won with the 1996 U.S. Olympic Dream Team, bringing home a gold medal after defeating Brazil. His reputation with the NBA was one of professionalism, athletic quality, and character. That character was most aptly highlighted, however, off the NBA court and back at home in the very neighborhood he had left behind.

In 2011, his old friend Desmond Merriweather was coaching at Penny’s middle school alma mater, Lester Middle. But Desmond was dying of colon cancer and he asked Penny to come home and coach in his place. Penny drew close to Merriweather in his final days and was even at his bedside when he passed away. The experience changed him forever. He knew he needed to be home.

Full Circle

When he was offered the head coaching position for the University of Memphis in 2018, Penny took it right away. He was able to secure the top recruits of the nation that first season, a testament to who he had always been, both on and off the court. His name and his teams have brought unprecedented numbers to Memphis basketball games and the victories he’s generated have broken records.

In an industry that buzzes with scandal almost as much as talent, it feels good to know Penny Hardaway is one of our own. And it feels good to have him back.

Photo via Memphis Tigers Athletics