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Darrell Armstrong was the heart of the “Heart & Hustle” Orlando Magic team. And he will now be an Orlando Magic Hall of Famer.
The Magic announced on Tuesday that Armstrong will be inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame at Amway Center to take his rightful place alongside other Magic legends.
Congrats to Darrell Armstrong for being named as the 2020 Magic Hall of Fame inductee! The leader of 'Heart & Hustle' will be the ninth person enshrined. #MagicAboveAll pic.twitter.com/xWUuS9Xl0K
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 10, 2019
Armstrong, an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks, will be honored with a ceremony on February 21 prior to the Magic’s game against the Mavs. Armstrong becomes the ninth inductee into the Magic HOF, joining Nick Anderson, Pat Williams, Shaquille O’Neal, Rich DeVos, Penny Hardaway, Jimmy Hewitt, Tracy McGrady and David Steele.
Armstrong went undrafted out of Fayetteville State University and played overseas before being signed by the Magic in 1995. He spent nine years with the Magic during his 14-year career in the NBA, averaging 11.7 points and 5.1 assists with Orlando.
His breakout came during the 1998-1999 season when he averaged 13.8 point and 6.7 assists off the bench and was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year AND Most Improved Player. He led the beloved “Heart & Hustle” team in scoring at a career-high 16.2 points per game, nearly guiding a team that wasn’t expected to win 20 games to a 41-41 record, just missing the playoffs.
Among Magic career leaders, Armstrong ranks second in steals (830), third in assists (2,555) and fifth in games played (502), and sixth in three-point field goals made (654).
“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,” Armstrong said in a statement. “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.”
He had some classic moments in a Magic uniform, he is one of the most beloved players in franchise history, and he also did this after Tim Hardaway threw a television monitor onto the court in Orlando...