Hardaway graduates

Jet, May 26, 2003

* HARDAWAY GRADUATES: Phoenix Suns' Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway is all smiles as he receives his bachelor's degree in professional studies at the University of Memphis on Mother's Day at the Pyramid in Memphis, TN. Hardaway, 31, who had a 3.4 grade point average at the time, left for the NBA in 1993, but continued taking courses to meet his degree requirements.

The university, formerly Memphis State, retired his No. 25 to the rafters just over two years later, celebrating a career during which he averaged 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists and won consecutive Great Midwest Conference player of the year awards. Golden State selected Hardaway third overall, then traded him to Orlando, where he spent the first six seasons of his professional career. Phoenix acquired Hardaway in 1999, and he's been playing the last four seasons with the Suns.