Hardaway was born in Chicago and attended the University of Texas at El Paso, where he was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1989 and quickly became a fan favorite. He was known for his flashy style of play and his signature move, the "UTEP Two-Step," which he used to get past defenders.
Hardaway was named to the All-Star team in 1991 and 1992 and was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1993 and 1994. He was traded to the Miami Heat in 1996 and helped lead the team to the playoffs in 1997. He was named to the All-Star team again in 1998 and 1999 and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1999.
Hardaway was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2001 and retired in 2003. He finished his career with averages of 17.7 points, 8.2 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Hardaway was known for his competitive spirit and his ability to make his teammates better. He was an excellent passer and a great shooter, and he was a leader on the court. He was a fan favorite wherever he went and is remembered as one of the best point guards of his era.
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