August 25th 2024.
A man has been taken into custody by the police for supposedly pilfering multiple pairs of shoes from the residence of Penny Hardaway, a former NBA All-Star who now coaches the men's basketball team at the University of Memphis. According to reports from CBS Sports, the accused, identified as Ronald James, is said to have swiped the shoe boxes from Hardaway's home on August 8. Surveillance footage captured James making off with the items, which included several exclusive pairs, and pushing them away in a shopping cart. Witnesses stated that the 42-year-old was seen rolling the cart down the street, overflowing with boxes filled with 26 pairs of shoes.
In an interview with WREG, Hardaway shared that the stolen sneakers included unique Nike Foamposites and shoes that were specially made for his loved ones. As a four-time NBA All-Star, Hardaway had made these styles his signature sneakers, making them highly coveted and valuable. During his 14-year career in the NBA, he had established a partnership with Nike, and even now, as he embarks on a new journey as a coach, the collaboration continues.
One notable release from this partnership was the Air Max Penny 1 Lester Middle School Editions in 2023, paying tribute to Hardaway's middle school. According to House of Heat, these shoes can now be found on resale sites such as Flight Club, with prices ranging from $500 to over $2,000. As Hardaway takes on his role as head coach for the University of Memphis' Tigers, he also continues to work with Nike, developing new products. After retiring from the NBA in 2018, the Memphis native returned to his alma mater to coach, and he plans on leading the team for another season, with his #25 jersey already retired.
In February, Hardaway and Nike launched the "1 Cent" brand, offering a range of apparel featuring the Tigers' logo. The collaboration includes various clothing items, from t-shirts to hoodies. It is uncertain whether the authorities were able to retrieve any of the stolen items from James. The police have since charged him with theft of property. This incident is a reminder of Hardaway's successful business ventures, which have proven to be just as lucrative as his time on the basketball court.
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