Darrell Armstrong to be Inducted Into Magic Hall of Fame

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DECEMBER 10, 2019 | ORLANDO, FL

The Orlando Magic will induct former guard and fan-favorite Darrell Armstrong into their Hall of Fame on Friday, February 21 at 4 p.m. in Amway Center, near the Nutrilite Magic Fan Experience**. Armstrong becomes the ninth inductee into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.

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In addition to the induction ceremony, Armstrong will be honored that night during Orlando’s game vs. Dallas. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. and tickets are available through OrlandoMagic.com or by calling 1-800-4-NBATIX.

“During his nine seasons with the Orlando Magic, Darrell Armstrong gave everything he had to the organization, both on the court and in our community,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “Fans always look back fondly at our ‘Heart & Hustle’ era, and Darrell was the leader of that group that left it all on the court 20 years ago. We are thrilled to induct him into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.”

A true underdog story, Armstrong went undrafted in 1991 out of Fayetteville State University. He played professionally in several minor leagues, as well as overseas in Cyprus and Spain, before signing as a free agent with Orlando on April 8, 1995. Armstrong went on to spend 14 seasons playing in the NBA, including nine seasons with the Magic from 1995-2003.

“It is an honor to be recognized for the things I did in Orlando, and I am especially proud as a player who wasn’t drafted,” said Armstrong. “I am not only excited that the organization is rewarding me, but I am also thankful to the fans there as well. Magic fans always had my back and supported me. It is a great honor and I share this with them.”

Armstrong played in 502 regular season games with Orlando (291 starts), averaging 11.7 ppg., 5.1 apg., 3.3 rpg. and 1.65 stlpg. in 28.4 minpg., while shooting .888 (1,156-1,302) from the free throw line. During the 1998-99 campaign, he earned both the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, as well as the NBA’s Sixth Man Award. Armstrong became the first player in NBA history to win both honors during the same season.

Entering this season, Armstrong stood among the Orlando Magic all-time leaders in steals (second, 830), assists (third, 2,555), games played (fifth, 502), three-point field goals attempted (fifth, 1,892), minutes played (sixth, 14,234), three-point field goals made (sixth, 654), free throws made (eighth, 1,156), free throws attempted (ninth, 1,302), field goals made (tenth, 2,044), field goals attempted (tenth, 4,878) and points scored (tenth, 5,898).

Armstrong is also a two-time recipient (1998, 2000) of the Rich and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award, which recognizes a player’s efforts in the Central Florida community.

The Magic unveiled its inaugural Hall of Fame class on April 9, 2014, naming the first two inductees, Magic co-founder Pat Williams and the team’s first-ever draft pick and current community ambassador, Nick Anderson. In 2015, Shaquille O’Neal became the third member inducted, while Senior Chairman Rich DeVos joined the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame in 2016. Anfernee ‘Penny’ Hardaway and “founding father” Jimmy Hewitt were inducted in 2017, Tracy McGrady was honored in 2018 and longtime announcer David Steele was inducted last season.

The Orlando Magic Hall of Fame honors and celebrates the great players, coaches and executives who have had a major impact during the team’s illustrious 31-year history. The HOF bridges the past with the future of Magic basketball, and the exhibit, located in Amway Center on the terrace level near Nutrilite Magic Fan Experience, provides Magic fans an opportunity to learn some Magic history while in the building. The inductees are selected based on their overall on and off the court contributions to the team and organization, years of service, impact in the community and general character of the individual.

Source: Orlando Magic | NBA