“I came back and gave my time so that I could give a young man an opportunity to dream, understand how to handle himself on and off court, have accountability, responsibility and to share a mentality that nothing is going to be given to you, you have to earn everything and get out of entitlement phase.” Penny Hardaway
In this episode of The Pivot Podcast, Ryan, Channing and Fred sit down with NBA legend and Hall of Famer Penny Hardaway for an in-depth conversation about his journey from basketball icon to cultural influencer to fatherhood to head coach of the Memphis Tigers. This conversation goes far beyond basketball, it’s about life, leadership, mentorship, and Penny's commitment to giving back to his community to inspire future generations.
Penny opens up about his early days growing up in Memphis, his rise to fame in the NBA, and the lessons he’s carried with him throughout his career. He shares with the guys his humble beginnings and being raised by his grandmother after both his parents were in and out of the picture. He speaks with raw honesty about the quiet strength she instilled in him, preaching loyalty to his roots and how that foundation helped him navigate the fame and expectations that would come with being one of the most prolific athletes of his generation.
As one of the most beloved figures in basketball, Penny shares behind-the-scenes stories from his time with the Orlando Magic, From playing alongside Shaquille O’Neal to chasing a championship to facing Michael Jordan to injuries derailing his explosive career...Penny doesn't lean into regrets, but admits that without the injuries, his name would have been mentioned with the greats. Despite Shaq and Penny going separate ways, he admits that the most fun he had playing basketball was with his larger than life teammate and it was a rockstar lifestyle on and off the court.
Now as Head Coach of the Memphis Tigers, Penny is more than just a coach. He’s a pillar for his city and a mentor to a new generation of young men. He reflects on the promise he made to his childhood friend and former coach Desmond Merriweather, a promise that brought him back home and inspired him to help create paths for young people to chase dreams. He talks about coaching his own sons and how it brought a new love of the game seeing his own sons play and be able to connect with them differently. With a disappointing early-round loss in NCAA tournament, Penny understands that the post season is where legacy is created, not just for him as a coach but for the athletes too. Navigating the NIL landscape has been tricky, but Penny stands firm on his philosophy that anyone can give you the money, butt not everyone can get you better in the gym.
One of our favorite conversations we have had because of the honesty and realness in the words spoken as Penny reminds us all that life is bigger than who we are, it's what we do with the gifts given to us that matter the most. And in every word, he proves that no matter how far you go, there’s power in returning home, not just to give back, but to build something bigger than yourself. Follow us and comment on what you think about this conversation.
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