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This Anfernee Hardaway didn't just become a star overnight just like all the other famous NBA
players to become as good as Anfernee Hardaway they worked long and hard just like all of us
have to do. Anfernee's first real chance to get a taste of a real basketball game was when he started
playing in High School games, playing for Treadwell High School. He was a star, he was Memphis
Player of the Year twice, All Metro Pick three times and Mr. Tennessee Basketball in his senior
at Treadwell High. He was also named Parade's National Player of the Year. He was averaging 36.6
points from the field, 10.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.3 steals, and 2.8 blocks. Thats just a little
taste of all the awards he earned. He grew up in one of the hardest neighborhoods and school grounds
you could think. Coming from being on his heels worrying if anyone had a gun and was going to attack
someone to a high flying superstar point guard and foward for the Pheniox Suns.
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College Years
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The famous NBA basketball player, who in high school heated it up, was now being
picked to play for the Memphis Tigers, at the University of Memphis. He wasn't
able to star in his freshman year because he was not academically eligible, but
that all changed when at the end of the year he averaged a 3.4 grade point average,
all thanks to his determination to play basketball. He wasted now time in getting
on the court. He played his junior year pushing the ball down the court and beating
his opponents, leaving them cold in the dust. He was averaging 22.8 points, 8.5
rebounds, and 6.4 assists. He was shooting .477 from from the field, which helped
him achieve two-triple doubles. He set a school single season scoring record with
729 points. In 1992 he was picked to player on the USA basketball developmental team
and scrimmaged the 1992 Olympic USA basketball team. After his amazing season which
would be his last at Memphis University he had earned the Conference Player of the year
award, and a First All-American.
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NBA Years
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After two years with Memphis State he was now entering the 1993
NBA Draft to be a sure pick. He was picked first round, third pick by
the Golden State Warriors. Anfernee would not be taken that easily though if the fast
thinking Orlando Magic had anything to say about it. They quickly traded another famous
Superstar Chris Webber for Anfernee and three number one draft picks. Anfernee was now
going to play for Orlando with great companion Shaquille O'Neal. He had conviced the Magic
he was worth trying and he sure did the first season he was averaging 16 points a game and
6 assists. He was named NBA All-Rookie First Team, which makes sense he was the only rookie
to start all 82 of his regular season games. The Magic made it to the Playoffs but were soon
kicked out in the first round. This helped Anfernee while he continued to elevate his game, by
the end of the season he was averaging over 18 points a game, and 7 assists a game. After that
he just continued to rock the NBA. The next season he lead the Magic to the NBA Finals only
to get beaten badly by the Houston Rockets. The good thing was that it didn't put Hardaway down
he was averaging 25 points a game in that short series.
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