Shaquille O’Neal only played four seasons with the Orlando Magic, but the future NBA Hall of Famer put the burgeoning franchise on the map. The team recognized his contributions Tuesday as the franchise retired his No. 32 jersey.
The legendary center who shattered backboards and set franchise records is the first Orlando player to receive the honor.
The dominant 7-footer was the first superstar for the franchise, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary season. He was an All-Star in each of his first four seasons, leading the Magic to an NBA Finals appearance in 1995, where they lost to the Houston Rockets.
But his acrimonious departure left a bitter taste with some fans. The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, where O’Neal would go on to win championships, retired his jersey in 2013 and 2016. The player-turned-broadcaster had to wait several years for the same honor from his first team.
“I have many wonderful Magic memories. There’s no other place I would’ve wanted to start my career,” the 15-time All-Star told a cheering crowd on Tuesday. “It’s a real honor to be the first Orlando Magic player to have his jersey retired.”
During his speech, the LSU product recognized former teammates like Penny Hardaway and Nick Anderson, noting that their contributions aided his success.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to wear the blue and white,” the 1993 NBA rookie of the year said. “Orlando will forever hold a special place in my heart. I’ll always be proud to be part of this Magic franchise.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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