Penny Hardaway college stats: How did the Memphis HC play during his amateur career?

Anfernee Hardaway, usually known as Penny Hardaway, was one of the flashiest point guards in the NBA. The big-league journeyman began his career with the Orlando Magic while playing beside a young Shaquille O’Neal.

He nearly pitted the franchise to its first NBA trophy in 1995. He was a wizard with the ball on the court and is considered one of the most creative passers of all time.

Off the court, Nike’s masterful advertising campaigns and comedian Chris Rock’s voice kept Penny Hardaway appealing to the masses through the moniker Lil Penny. Nevertheless, Hawdaway’s surge was nothing out of the blue, as his collegiate stint echoes heavily about his talent.

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Penny Hardaway's college stats while playing for Memphis

Memphis Tigers fall to Cincinnati

Penny Hardaway’s amateur career began with major hurdles. He was ineligible for his first year (1990-91) at the University of Memphis (then known as Memphis State University) according to Proposition 48, which regulated the necessary high school grades for students to participate in college athletics.

Nevertheless, Penny Hardaway got a startling role the next year (1991-92) and put on an all-around season with 17.3 points, 5.5 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 steals while making 43% of his shots. Memphis made it to the Elite Eight that year, the second-deepest NCAA run in program history, while Hardaway made it to the All-American list.

As Lil Penny looked forward to the next season, his career hung in the balance when he was robbed at gunpoint and shot in the foot. Nevertheless, he returned to the program and made the Dean’s List, a distinction portraying the highest level of scholarship.

Moreover, Penny Hardaway increased his totals that year (1992-93) by averaging 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.2 blocks. The Tigers yet again made it to the NCAA but were eliminated by Western Kentucky.

However, Hardaway’s individual feats were recognized. He made his second All-American selection and was one of the finalists for the John R. Wooden and Naismith College Player of the Year title.

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With that, Hardaway established himself as one of the top-five modern point guards in college history and declared for the draft in 1993. He was picked third overall by the Golden State Warriors as a pick-and-trade to Orlando.

Moreover, the Tigers program retired his #25 and put it in the rafter in 1994 as Hardaway returned to the institution to complete his bachelor’s degree nearly 10 years later.