Shaquille O'Neal to Become First Orlando Magic Player to Have Number Retired

O’Neal played his first four seasons with the Magic, leading them to the 1995 NBA Finals.

Shaq is being honored for his magical first four seasons in the NBA! Shaquille O’Neal, 51, will become the first player in Orlando Magic franchise history to have his number retired.

O’Neal received the news Thursday night during TNT Within the NBA aired when Magic CEO Alex Martins called into the show to tell the retired NBA center that the team planned to hang his jersey in the rafters, marking his retirement.

“I hear you’ve been waiting for our phone call and the wait is over,” Martins said. “On behalf of the Devos family, on behalf of myself and on behalf of all of us here at the Orlando Magic, we want to congratulate you as we make you the first retired jersey number in Orlando Magic history.”

The picture-in-picture shows O’Neal smiling as Martins shares the news. “You had a great career here early in your career and we had a great time,” Martins said. “You took us all the way to the NBA Finals and it’s finally time to take that number to the top.”

O’Neal wiped a tear from his eye as confetti fell from the ceiling and co-hosts Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley clapped and shouted in celebration. “Congratulations, big!” Barkley shouted across the table.

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Shaquille O’Neal.

Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

Later in the show, TNT aired a video message from O’Neal’s mother, Dr. Lucille O’Neal. “I remember when they called your name: ‘Orlando Magic with the first pick…’ and they picked Shaquille O’Neal,” his mother said into the camera.

“We were all so happy for you, but also excited. And I have to tell you, you’ve made us all proud with all the joy and excitement you’ve brought to the Orlando community. This award and recognition is well deserved and we want you to enjoy it. We are so proud of you,” she continued.

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O’Neal played his first four seasons in Orlando before becoming a free agent and signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA Hall of Famer was the team’s first overall pick in the 1992 draft and helped lead the Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals.

It was a great four years there, O’Neal said during the broadcast. – I just wanted to go in and make a name for myself.

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Shaquille O’Neal.

Focus on Sports/Getty Images

Although O’Neal did not help the Magic achieve their dream of becoming an NBA champion, he did win four championships later in his career with the Lakers and Miami Heat.

A 15-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA Finals MVP, O’Neal was retired by the Lakers in 2013 and the Heat in 2016. He will become only the second player in NBA history to have his jersey retired by three separate teams, according to NBC Los Angeles. NBA Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain was second.

O’Neal was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2016.

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