Shaquille O’Neal was a dominant force during his tenure with the Orlando Magic in the past.
Known for his strong character both on the court and as a basketball analyst, O’Neal surprised fans during the recent jersey retirement ceremony held by the Orlando Magic in his honor.
O’Neal was selected as the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic. He quickly established himself as one of the top centers in the league, winning the Rookie of the Year award in the 1992-93 season and leading the Magics to the 1995 NBA Finals. As a result, the Magics decided to retire his jersey number 32 in a grand ceremony.
During his speech at the event, O’Neal took the opportunity to highlight a former teammate who he believed deserved the same recognition. In a graceful manner, the legendary center called up the Magic’s first-ever draft pick and expressed his admiration, stating, “It’s a true honor to have my jersey retired, but I would have expected it to be the second one… You were the first superstar here in Orlando.” 🤝Shaq gives Nick Anderson his flowers during his jersey ceremony (via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/5LT4LCaxvQ
Anderson appeared deeply moved by O’Neal’s kind words and the enthusiastic applause from the Kia Center. The duo had spent four years together as part of one of the city’s greatest teams in recent decades.
As the Orlando Magic paid tribute to Shaquille O’Neal through the jersey retirement ceremony, speeches from commentators, owners, and former teammates filled the atmosphere. Amidst the celebration, the Shaq Foundation received a pleasant surprise. Towards the end of the ceremony, the franchise presented a generous donation of $532,32.32 to the charity.
The significance of the number was impossible to overlook. The number 32 proudly hangs from the Kia Center’s rafters, symbolizing a significant milestone for the Orlando Magic franchise. This moment allows the team to honor the individual who, during an impressive five-year tenure, brought both the city and the team to new heights within the sports community. As a result, the figure on the donation check shone brightly: $532,32.32.
Throughout his time with the Orlando Magic, O’Neal had remarkable statistics, averaging 27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.8 blocks in 295 games played.
According to the Source firstsportz.com