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Corridor-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal is ready to grow to be the primary Orlando Magic participant in NBA historical past to have their jersey retired by the franchise.
The information was introduced reside on Contained in the NBA and the published crew stunned O’Neal with a video name from Magic CEO Alex Martins.
“When somebody asks who was the primary participant to formally put the Orlando Magic on the map, the reply is straightforward — Shaquille O’Neal,” Martins mentioned. “He took this franchise to new heights, each on and off the courtroom, and his legacy continues to be felt inside our group in the present day. On behalf of the DeVos household, we’re excited to honor Shaquille by elevating No. 32 into the rafters of the Kia Middle, the place it should stay ceaselessly.”
Shaq was drafted out of LSU by the Magic as the primary general choose within the 1992 Draft.
In 4 seasons with Orlando, the massive man earned Rookie of the Yr honors (1993) and led the Magic to the franchise’s first playoff look (1994) and first NBA Finals look (1995).
“I wish to thank the DeVos household,” O’Neal said on the broadcast. “It was a fantastic 4 years there. I simply wished to come back in and make a reputation for myself.”
O’Neal turns into simply the second participant in NBA historical past to have his jersey retired by three totally different franchises because the Lakers retired his No. 34 jersey in April 2013, and the Miami Warmth retired his No. 32 jersey in December 2016.
Wilt Chamberlain was the one different participant to have three jerseys retired by three totally different organisations (Warriors, 76ers and Warmth).
“You might be one of many few males that we’ve ever seen in sports activities play a sport and love the sport the fitting approach, create your individual path and do it your approach,” mentioned Dennis Scott, O’Neal’s Magic teammate from 1992-96. “Now your quantity is retired in three totally different arenas. That’s one thing particular.”
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