Jayden Hardaway: 3 things to know about the Memphis Tigers basketball guard, Penny's son

Erik Hall, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·3 min read
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As a redshirt freshman, Jayden Hardaway got the first start of his college career in Memphis's 70-63 win against UConn on Feb. 1, 2020. He played seven minutes with two rebounds and an assist.

It was a game that aired on CBS and Memphis designated as Autism Speaks Game.

"Jayden was born autistic," Memphis Tigers head coach Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway said. "And that was the autism game. So, he overcame autism and he's really just a walking miracle with everything he had going on. So that was really a thing between father and son."

Here is some basic information about Jayden Hardaway:

Find out three more things about Memphis Tigers men's basketball guard Jayden Hardaway.

Is Jayden Hardaway related to Penny?

Jayden Hardaway is the son of Nikki Ward and Memphis Tigers men's basketball head coach Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway.

Before playing for his dad on the Memphis Tigers, Jayden Hardaway was coached by his dad at East High School in Memphis during the 2016-17 season and on Team Penny for AAU season.

Jayden Hardaway was raised in Miami by his mom until moving to Memphis in 2016. Jayden went back to Florida after the 2016-17 season to play basketball at IMG Academy in 2017-18, and he returned to Memphis to play for the Tigers starting in 2018-19.

"I'm able to obviously trust my dad. I know he cares for me," Jayden Hardaway said in 2018 when he committed to Memphis. "I know he's going to push me to be my greatest. There just wasn't a better situation for me than to go there."

Jayden Hardaway: Penny Hardaway's son becomes his first commitment at Memphis

Why does Jayden Hardaway wear No. 1?

Memphis Tigers guard Jayden Hardaway attempts a shot over Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils guard Alexander Perry during their game at the FedExForum on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020.
Memphis Tigers guard Jayden Hardaway attempts a shot over Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils guard Alexander Perry during their game at the FedExForum on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020.

The 2020-21 season is Jayden Hardaway's first season wearing No. 1 at Memphis. He wore No. 25 during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons matching the No. 25 that his dad, Penny Hardaway, wore at Memphis.

Jayden Hardaway wore No. 1 from the start of his high school career at Miami Palmetto Senior High School.

Jayden's dad wore No. 1 during the first 13 seasons of his 14-year NBA career. He wore No. 1 with the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks before wearing No. 7 with the Miami Heat.

Jayden Hardaway helped Memphis East High School win state title

Jayden Hardaway was a starter on the East High School boys basketball team that captured the 2016-17 TSSAA AAA state championship. It was the second of three straight state titles for the program, but Jayden Hardaway's only season at the school.

Memphis East finished that year 35-3 overall. It defeated Southwind Memphis 65-45 in the state title game.

That team also included Jayden's Memphis Tigers teammates Alex Lomax and Malcolm Dandridge.

Here's more Jayden Hardaway news:

Here's a link to the Jayden Hardaway bio on the Memphis Tigers men's basketball website.

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Jayden Hardaway: 3 facts on the Memphis Tigers men's basketball guard