Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway has been in charge of his alma mater for the past five seasons. His career with the pebble-grain leather basketball has spanned from being a rising star in the League and marketing his own signature silhouette to creating a new culture at the University of Memphis as head coach. The 1-of-1 Penny 1 was created especially for Hardaway and is now known as the ACES x Nike Air Max Penny 1 “Legacy”.

A blend of modest “Sails” and creams wrap the upper made of buttery, tumbled leather, hairy suede, and the model’s iconic jewel Swooshes. The latter is filled with a repeating monochromatic “Hustle & Heart” graphic, and additional motivational messages and advertising opportunities land along the tongue’s base, reading “GOD GOT ME” in a font reminiscent of dollar bills, and on the heel tabs, which feature “LEGACY” and the platform’s “ACES” logo.

Brand Aces is a storytelling platform that honors those who defied the odds and succeeded.

Hardaway debuted the 1-of-1 Aces x Nike Air Max Penny 1 “Legacy” while coaching for Memphis’ final regular season game against Houston on 5 March at 12PM EST. The sneakers pay tribute to Hardaway’s influence on basketball over the previous three decades, his cultural revolution in the 1990s, and his change from player to coach. It also serves as a symbol for his recently resurrected sneaker brand.

Elsewhere in the realm of footwear, check out the Cecilie Bahnsen x ASICS, which will be back for Fall/Winter 2023.