words // Brandon Richard
images // Nick DePaula
After shattering state high school records at Treadwell High, Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway passed on numerous offers from schools around the country to stay home and attend Memphis State University.
An Education major, Penny continued to fill up the stat sheets at Memphis. He was a consensus All-American and two-time Great Midwest Conference Player of the Year. In his junior year, Penny averaged 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.2 blocks. His all-around play caught the eye of pro scouts, filmmakers and future teammate Shaquille O'Neal.
As they did with the Treadwell Red Eagles, Nike Sportswear and Penny Hardaway worked together on a colorway of the newly launched Air Penny V that pays tribute to his college alma mater.
The colors of what is now known as the University of Memphis can be found on the shoe's nubuck and Hyperfuse-constructed upper. An obvious salute to the Tigers comes in the form of stripe detailing throughout the upper, along the midsole and visible through the translucent rubber outsole.
Familiar features include Penny's famous "1CENT" logo on the tongue, heel and outsole. Swoosh branding takes its place on the lateral and medial side panels. Penny's right and left bicep tattoos inspire "Part II Heaven Cent" and "The Storm Is Over" text along the heel tabs.
The "Memphis Tigers" Nike Air Penny V will hit Nike Sportswear accounts on Saturday, January 26.
Detailed images below as seen in Sole Collector Magazine iPad Issue 11.
