Man Charged with Stealing Exclusive Shoes from Former NBA Star Penny Hardaway’s Home

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIAugust 22, 2024

Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

A 42-year-old man has been charged with theft of property after allegedly swiping exclusive shoes off the front porch of Memphis men’s basketball head coach Penny Hardaway’s home on Aug. 8.

Per Megan Fayard of WREG, CBS’ Memphis affiliate, Ronald James is accused of stealing 26 pairs of shoes. Hardaway previously told WREG that they were “one-of-a-kind” Foamposites plus a “family and friend exclusive.”

Per a police report obtained by ESPN’s Myron Medcalf, camera footage showed a man with a shopping cart piled with packages traveling down an East Memphis street close to Hardaway’s home.

Bond has not yet been set for James, per WREG.

Medcalf provided more information on the shoes.

“Nike’s Foamposite line, made famous by Hardaway when he starred for the Orlando Magic in the 1990s, is still popular today. Hardaway and Nike still have a lucrative partnership years after the former NBA All-Star last played in the league.

“Last year, Nike released the Nike Air Max Penny 1 Lester Middle School editions to honor Hardaway’s Memphis middle school.”

Hardaway, a four-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA player, starred for the Orlando Magic in the 1990s, notably helping lead the team to the 1995 NBA Finals alongside Shaquille O’Neal. He ultimately played 14 NBA seasons for the Magic, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Miami Heat, averaging 15.2 points, 5.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Hardaway now coaches Memphis, where he once starred before leaving for the NBA in 1993. He has led the Tigers since 2018.