Memphis bench boss Penny Hardaway emerged from his interview for the Orlando Magic‘s head coaching vacancy as a serious candidate, sources told The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Hardaway has spent the last three seasons at his alma mater, posting a 63-32 record. The Tigers led the NCAA in opponents’ field-goal percentage during the 2019-20 campaign and ranked fifth in the category this past season.
Memphis rewarded Hardaway in December with a five-year contract extension that runs through the 2025-26 campaign.
Orlando acquired Hardaway in a draft-day deal 28 years ago. The 49-year-old spent six of his 14 NBA seasons with the Magic, earning four All-Star appearances and three All-NBA selections.
The 1993 third overall pick averaged 19 points, 6.3 assists, 4.7 boards, and 1.9 steals over 369 games for Orlando.
Hardaway played a key role in helping the Magic reach their first NBA Finals during the 1994-95 campaign.
Terry Stotts and Becky Hammon are among the other names linked to Orlando since the club parted ways with Steve Clifford at the conclusion of the season.
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