Hey there, fellow card collectors! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent countless hours searching for that perfect addition to your collection. Well, today we’re diving into the world of Penny Hardaway cards – a true gem in any basketball enthusiast’s collection. With 20 years of experience under my belt, I’ve seen some incredible cards come and go, but there’s just something special about Penny Hardaway cards. His skill, versatility, and charisma on the court have made him an iconic figure in the basketball world.
Penny Hardaway 2024
Recently, there has been some exciting news surrounding Penny Hardaway. In 2018, he took on the role of head coach for the men’s basketball team at the University of Memphis. Since then, he has been making waves in the college basketball scene, bringing a new energy and enthusiasm to the program. This resurgence in his career has led to increased interest in Penny Hardaway cards, with collectors eager to snag pieces of memorabilia from both his playing days and his coaching tenure.
Some Top Penny Hardaway Cards
1. 2012 Panini Prizm Anfernee Hardaway Prizms Gold #160 #’d/10
Creator: Panini
Hardaway’s most valuable card was released on November 28, 2012, and arises from the 2012-2013 Panini Prizm basketball set. Collectors are on the lookout for two Prizms autographed cards and two inserts configured in twenty packs of six cards.
Panini highlighted the basketball card of Hardaway in the 160-case base checklist, which attracted hobbyists by the Gold Prizms serial-numbered to only ten copies. This basketball card from the 2012-2013 Panini Prizm was graded a BGS 9.5 and considered Hardaway’s loftiest graded card.
After Hardaway hung up his sneakers, he guided the Lester Middle School Lions as a coach to the state championship in Memphis, Tennessee. He was first an assistant head coach of East High Mustangs in Memphis, Tennessee, and became the head coach who led the team to 2016, 2017, and 2018 state titles.
2. 1998 Skybox Premium Anfernee Hardaway Star Rubies #17 #’d/50
Creator SkyBox
The 1998-1999 SkyBox Premium has two series issues; both allocate 24 packs of eight cards in every box. This Hardaway card has emerged from the Start Rubies checklist with serial-numbered fifty copies.
Many hobbyists find this 1998-1999 SkyBox Premium Hardaway’s Star Rubies even more desirable because of being the checklist’s number one card. Only nine Star Rubie’s cards have surfaced the BGS 9 highest grade.
Early in the 1997-1998 season, Hardaway suffered a serious left knee injury, forcing him to miss the season’s remainder. He was considered one of the best point guards in the league, but he was never the same player after that injury. He ended his 14-year NBA career with an average of 1.6 steals, 5.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 15.2 points per game.
3. 1996 Flair Showcase Anfernee Hardaway Hot Shots #4
Creator: Flair Showcase
The 1996 Flair Showcase Hot Shots card was Hardaway’s third most valuable card configured in 24 packs of five cards. His basketball card appeared in the Hot Shot checklist as a die-cut card that illustrates a blazing basketball.
Hardaway’s Hot Shot card attracted collectors despite being difficult to locate because the inserts are found in one of each 90 packs.
After Penny helped Team USA get an Olympic gold medal in the 1996 Summer Games, he played the 1996-1997 season. With Shaquille O’Neal being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Penny’s stats slowly diminished with an average of 1.6 steals, 5.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 20.5 points, down in each category except for rebounds.
4. 1998 SkyBox E-X Century Anfernee Hardaway Dunk’N Go-Nuts #17DG
Creator: SkyBox
The 1998 SkyBoc E-X Century comes with a 90-card base set. This card set is printed in eighteen packs of three cards. Hardaway’s card appeared in the Dunk ‘N Go-Buts checklist. The insert cards are found in one of each 36 packs.
In the 1995-1996 season, Hardaway helped Orlando Magic achieve its franchise-best 6-22 record with a winning average of .732. Aside from the 7.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds, Penny also recorded a career-high 21.7 points.
Despite failing to win the 1995-1996 season, Hardaway still had a 1996 NBA All-Star Game appearance and second consecutive All-NBA First Team honors.
5. 2020 Panini Contenders Optic Anfernee Hardaway Veteran Ticket #VT-ANF
Creator: Panini
This set comes with insert cards showcasing ten NBA players, from Hall of Famers like Karl Malone and Allen Iverson to current NBA superstars like Anthony Davis and Ja Morant.
At the bottom part, you will see Hardaway’s signature, and he was in an Orlando Magic uniform. This Veteran Season Ticket shows seat 1, row 67, and section 195. Although the autographed card was released twelve years after Hardaway retired, collectors still look for another copy since the only copy is one of the best Hardaway cards.
There you have it! Overall, Hardaway was an All-NBA Rookie First Team, two-time All-NBA First Team, and four-time NBA All-Star. So, it’s no surprise if you are now excited to get Hardaway cards.
