Magic, who lost 127-113 to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Kia Center in Orlando, retired O’Neal’s jersey number 32 in the ceremony held after the match.
O’Neal, one of the most dominant centers in basketball, made history as the first person whose jersey was hung in Magic’s court. Additionally, O’Neal became the third basketball player, after Wilt Chamberlain and Pete Maravich, to have his jersey retired by three different teams. Previously, Los Angeles Lakers (34) and Miami Heat (32) retired O’Neal’s jerseys and placed them in their gyms.
O’Neal, who was selected by Magic with the first pick in the 1992 draft, served on the team until 1996. The American basketball player managed to become the best rookie player of the year and the first name to be selected as an all-star in Magic history. O’Neal, who also played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, was the most valuable player (MVP) of the season once and the finals three times in the NBA, where he won 4 championships. O’Neal was selected 15 times and became the MVP three times in the all-star games. O’Neal, who was the league’s top scorer twice, was in the top 5 of the season 8 times.
Shaquille O’Neal averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 blocks in the regular seasons in his 19-year NBA career.