Shaq to become first player to have number retired by Magic

Legendary center Shaquille O’Neal is about to have his No. 32 retired, marking a first for the Orlando Magic, the team that drafted him.

So make it two firsts for the Magic and Shaq — as Orlando made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He spent four seasons with the Magic, becoming the franchise’s most dominant center ever (though Dwight Howard may have an opinion on that).

Anyway, the Magic announced that O’Neal’s jersey will be retired in a ceremony on Feb. 13.

PRESS RELEASE:@OrlandoMagic to retire 3️⃣2️⃣ in honor of @SHAQ

🏀Ceremony to take place on Tuesday, February 13

🏀Tickets on sale now at https://t.co/pzHxf9oYPL#MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/cBJLwgFsZm

— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) January 5, 2024

O’Neal spent eight years with the Lakers, winning three championships, as well as another with the Heat in 2016. He also spent two seasons with the Suns, and one each with the Cavaliers and Celtics, before retiring in 2011.

He carries career averages of 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds in 1,207 career games.