Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal is a professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns. He is a three-time NBA Finals MVP and was also named by the NBA to be one of the 50 Greatest Players in history.1
Fast Facts
- Full name: Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal1
- Nickname: Shaq, Diesel1
- Born: March 6, 19721
- Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey1
- Height 7-11
- Weight: 3251
- College: Louisiana State University1
- NBA Draft: First overall pick in 1992 NBA Draft1
- 2000: NBA MVP1
- Olympic gold medal in 1996 Olympics1
- Two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP1
- Three-time NBA Finals MVP1
- Won three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers1
- 2006: Won championship with the Miami Heat1
Early Life
Shaquille O'Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey on March 6, 1972. He attended Cole High School were he led the basketball team to the state championship during his senior year. He then attended Louisiana State University and, under the tutelage of Dale Brown, established himself as one of the premiere players in the nation. He was twice named an All-American, but after his junior year, he decided to leave college early and enter the NBA Draft.1
Pro Career
O'Neal was selected with the first pick in the 1992 draft by the Orlando Magic. After an impressive season, he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year. In his third season, he led the league in scoring and also guided the Magic to their first ever NBA Finals where they eventually lost to Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets. In 1996, he won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the U.S. men's national basketball team.1
Lakers Career
In 1995, O'Neal signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, and after the team acquired Kobe Bryant and then hired Phil Jackson as head coach in 1999 the Lakers went on to win three straight NBA Championships. During this time O'Neal won all three NBA Finals MVP awards, and also a Most Valuable Player Award in the 1999-2000 season.1
Miami Heat Years
In 2004, O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat for players Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and a draft pick. In 2006, O'Neal led Miami to an NBA championship, the first in the franchise's history.1
Move to Phoenix
In 2008, with O'Neal battling injuries and the Heat transitioning to a younger roster, Miami traded O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks. The Suns were eliminated in the first round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs.1
Retirement?
On September 11, 2008, O'Neal announced a timetable of 735 days for his retirement. This would have O'Neal playing two more seasons in the NBA and retiring at the end of his current contract. O'Neal has expressed interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement after retiring from basketball.2
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