Shaquille O’Neal was the Orlando Magic’s first overall pick in 1992 and, along with Penny Hardaway, helped lead the team to new heights and an NBA Finals appearance early in his career.
O’Neal’s high-profile departure after the 1995-96 season and eventual agreement to join the Los Angeles Lakers may have left a sour taste in the mouths of Magic fans and officials.
But all that seems to be a thing of the past.
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Shaquille O’Neal of the Orlando Magic poses for a portrait on October 29, 1993 in London. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
O’Neal will be the first player in Magic history to have his uniform number retired. He wore number 32 with Orlando. The ceremony will take place on February 13.
Bill Russell’s number 6 is retired by all NBA teams, but the legendary center never played for Orlando.
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“When someone asks who was the first player to officially put the Orlando Magic on the map, the answer is simple: Shaquille O’Neal,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said in a news release.
“He took this franchise to new heights, both on and off the court, and his legacy is still felt within our organization today. On behalf of the DeVos family, we are excited to honor Shaquille by raising number 32 to the rafters of the court. Kia Center, where it will remain forever.”
Shaquille O’Neal smiles as he is inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame at the Amway Center on March 27, 2015, in Orlando, Florida. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
O’Neal was the 1992-93 NBA Rookie of the Year and an All-Star in each of his four seasons there. He helped Orlando overcome the dynastic Chicago Bulls even with the return of Michael Jordan.
He averaged 27.2 points and 12.5 rebounds per game with Orlando.
“It was a fantastic four years there,” O’Neal said on TNT. “I just wanted to come and make a name for myself…I would like to thank the city of Orlando, thank the Orlando Magic organization. I appreciate them a lot.”
He added that he was particularly grateful to the late Rich DeVos for bringing him to Orlando.
Shaquille O’Neal (32) of the Orlando Magic heads up against the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Since O’Neal left, three other Magic players have worn No. 32: Jeremy Richardson (2008-09), Justin Harper (2011-12) and CJ Watson (2015 to 2017).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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