Former NBA All-Star Turned Coach, Who Was Once Verbally Slapped By Shaquille O’Neal, Faces Severe Penalty

Shaquille O’Neal was one-half of some great duos during his time in the league. Known best for his pairing with Kobe Bryant, the big man was also a partner in crime with Dwyane Wade in Miami. But before joining forces with the two legends, Shaq’s first partner-in-crime was during his time with the Orlando Magic. After having promising performances during his first few years, Penny Hardaway went on to have a rather unsuccessful career as a player when compared to Shaq due to injuries. After retiring in 2007, Penny went on to pursue his career as a coach and recently faced a severe penalty for violating NCAA rules.

The 6’7 tall point guard went on to become a 4x All-Star, along with being a part of the All-NBA first team twice. However, injuries severely affected his career. He found his footing as a coach, nonetheless, but the latest update isn’t a good look on Penny.

Penny Hardaway in hot water after breaching rules

Following a short stint for his middle school alma mater in 2011, Penny went on to take charge of his college alma mater, the University of Memphis in 2018. Continuing at the role to this day, Penny was recently slapped with a three-game ban by the NCAA for recruiting violations. A member of the Memphis coaching staff supposedly visited a prospect’s parents in September, followed by Penny, who visited the family home two weeks later.

According to the NCAA guidelines, visiting recruits during fall months of their junior high school should only take place in the prospect’s school. Hardaway visiting the recruit’s family directly violated the rules of compliance, earning him a three-game ban.

In a statement regarding the ban, the panel wrote, “Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse. The head coach’s inattentiveness to compliance resulted in careless violations. Head coaches must remain diligent in monitoring their staff and promoting compliance at all times and cannot delegate those responsibilities to compliance staff members and administrators.”

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This isn’t the first time Hardaway’s name has come up in a controversy. His former teammate Shaq verbally slapped him during a commercial which caused a huge commotion back in the day.

Shaq levied a verbal slap on Penny Hardaway

Forming an iconic duo in Orlando, Shaq and Penny were instrumental to the team’s success in the mid-90s. This all changed when Shaq was featured in a TV commercial that took shots at Hardaway’s alter ego ‘Little Penny’.

During the bit Shaq can be seen stating, “There’s only 1 thing in my head. The championship. The championship! Cuz, I got 10 fingers and no rings. And I love jewelry. That’s what’s on my mind. This is my planet,” going onto slap ‘Lil Penny’ off the chair right after. Later, admitting it was his ego that ended the relationship, the two seem to have come to a compromise since then.

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