Shaquille O'Neal becomes the first Orlando Magic player EVER to have his jersey number retired, as CEO Alex Martins sends NBA legend a special message on TNT Sports
- O'Neal played 295 regular season games in his iconic four-year career in Orlando
- He will be honored by his old team after next month's game against Oklahoma City
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
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Shaquille O'Neal will be honored by the Orlando Magic as the first player in franchise history to have his jersey number retired.
O'Neal, who played four seasons with the Magic from 1992 to 1996, will retire his famous No. 32 jersey after his former team's game against Oklahoma City on Feb. 13.
In its 35th anniversary season, Orlando plans to pay tribute to one of its greatest players ever during a postgame ceremony at the Kia Center.
While working as an analyst for TNT Sports, O'Neal was surprised with a special message from Magic CEO Alex Martin.
“I hear you've been waiting for a call from us… and the wait is over,” Martins told the NBA legend.
Shaquille O'Neal will be honored by the Orlando Magic as the first player in franchise history to have his jersey number retired
While working as an analyst for TNT Sports, O'Neal was surprised with a special message from Magic CEO Alex Martin
“On behalf of the DeVos family, myself and all of us here at the Orlando Magic, we would like to congratulate you for making you the first jersey number retired in the history of the Orlando Magic.
“You had a great career here early in your career and we had great times. You took us all the way to the NBA Finals and it's finally time to put that number in the spotlight.
“So congratulations from all of us. We look forward to having you here in Orlando to celebrate.”
O'Neal was selected by the Magic with the first overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft and went on to make 295 regular season appearances (293 starts).
He averaged 27.2 ppg., 12.5 rpg., 2.4 apg. and 2.79 blkpg. in 37.8 minpg., while shooting .581 (3.208-5.522 FG) from the floor.
As Martins pointed out, the legendary center also helped Orlando reach the 2005 NBA Finals.
He still ranks among the franchise's all-time leaders in a range of areas, including blocked shots (second, 824), rebounds (third, 3,691), free throws made (third, 1,602), field goals made (fourth, 3,208) and points. scored (sixth, 8,019) – while his average of 27.2 points per game is the second-highest in Orlando history.
O'Neal was selected by the Magic with the first overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft and went on to make 295 regular season appearances
As a member of the Magic, O'Neal was named an NBA All-Star four times and was also named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1994-95. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1992–93 after being selected as the NBA's Rookie of the Year.
“Through his dominant play, larger-than-life personality and generous contributions to The City Beautiful, Shaquille O'Neal had a transformative impact on this team and this city,” said Magic Chairman Dan DeVos.
“Our family and the entire franchise couldn't be more excited for Shaquille to receive this well-deserved honor, further cementing his lasting legacy here in Orlando as we collectively look back on his great performances in a Magic uniform.”