Nike launches Memphis athletics, Penny Hardaway '1 Cent' co-brand
Penny Hardaway has long been one of the few able to sport Nike apparel that features both Memphis athletics branding and his iconic "1 Cent" logo together.
That changed Tuesday.
For the first time, fans can buy the same merchandise Hardaway (in his sixth season as head coach of his alma mater) and other members of the Memphis basketball program have worn since he became coach in 2018. The exclusive line, created by Nike, was launched Tuesday to select retailers, including Tiger Bookstore, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Fanatics Lids College. T-shirts (short- and long-sleeved), hoodie tees, hoodies, quarter-zip tops and more are available to the general public.
Tiger Bookstore will also be selling the line at FedExForum during Memphis’ remaining home games this season.
The Tigers (18-8, 7-6 AAC) have three home games left in the regular season, starting with Charlotte on Wednesday (7 p.m., ESPN+). They are also set to host FAU Sunday (1 p.m., ESPN). The regular-season home finale is scheduled for March 3 (at 4:30 p.m., ESPN2).
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Hardaway was born and raised in Memphis. He became a high school star playing at Treadwell before playing two seasons at then-Memphis State. A first-round draft pick in 1993, Hardaway spent 14 seasons in the NBA, making four all-star game appearances and landing All-NBA honors twice. He won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. Olympic team in 1996.
Hardaway was named head coach at Memphis in 2018, and led the program to an NIT championship in 2021, followed by back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. His coaching record with the Tigers is 125-60, which includes the 2023 AAC tournament championship.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Nike launches Memphis athletics, Penny Hardaway '1 Cent' co-brand