Where did Penny Hardaway go to college? Taking a look at Memphis HC's playing career

Penny Hardaway played for two years with the Memphis State Tigers (now Memphis Tigers) from 1991 to 1993. He had an impressive college career with the Tigers and declared for the 1993 NBA draft, where Hardaway was picked third overall by the Golden State Warriors. However, he was immediately traded to the Orlando Magic.

Over the course of his fourteen-year NBA career, Penny Hardaway played with the Magic, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Miami Heat. After retiring from the NBA in 2007, Hardaway took over as the head coach of the Memphis Tigers in 2018.

A look at Penny Hardaway's playing career

Penny Hardaway was one of the most sought-after recruits in the 1990 graduating class. He was named High School National Player of the Year by Parade Magazine. After contending offers from multiple schools, Hardaway finally settled with his home-state college, Memphis State.

“During the ages when I was most influenced, between 10-15, the team was really, really good,” Hardaway said (via SB Nation). “I fell in love with the ‘84-85 team with Andre Turner, William Bedford, Vincent Askew, when they went to the Final Four. I never lost love for that team or the school.”

Penny Hardaway joined the college in 1990. However, he had to sit out his freshman season as he was considered ineligible to play due to his academic performance, per the Proposition 48 regulation. He made his debut in his sophomore year and averaged 17.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 steals.

In the 1992 March Madness, the Tigers advanced to the Elite Eight, and Hardaway was named the Great Midwest Player of the Year. The junior season was Penny Hardaway's best year, as he averaged 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.2 blocks.

The two-time Great Midwest Conference MVP scored 1,319 points through his college career, including 17 total double-doubles. He is the only Memphis player to record two triple-doubles. Hardaway was also a finalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year and the John R. Wooden Award.

Penny Haraway's No. 25 jersey was retired by the Tigers on Jan. 23, 1994. He came back to his alma mater in 2018 and explained his decision:

"I came back because I wanted to make a difference in this city. I knew that my city was in a transition period and the period, it wasn't good, and I felt that with my presence and my time and my money coming back to the city, that I could help do my part to help try and make a positive change for the city." (via Bleacher Report)