Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway

Hardaway's fame was increased by a series of advertisements run by Nike that featured Hardaway and a loud-mouthed puppet, voiced by comedian Chris Rock, called Li'l Penny. Li'l Penny was supposedly Hardaway's little brother—little being the operative word, since Li'l Penny only stood three feet tall. Li'l Penny, who was also a basketball player, lived the sort of stereotypical professional athlete life that Hardaway himself has usually avoided: parties, women (especially supermodel Tyra Banks), and shameless self-promotion were always at the center of Lil' Penny's persona. Li'l Penny even published a book, Knee High and Livin'Large: The World According to Me. Although these commercials have not run for several years, they are still remembered, particularly for the role that they played in launching Chris Rock's career.