Shaquille O’Neal Reacts To Having Number Retired By Orlando Magic

Marc Griffin
·3 min read
3

Shaquille O’Neal reacted in the most Shaq way to learning his number will be retired by the Orlando Magic.

On Thursday (Jan. 4), Inside the NBA carved out a surprise segment dedicated to O’Neal’s accomplishment. Ernie Johnson Jr. kicked things off by playing a clip of Shaq rapping about the Magic potentially honoring him. “I got two retired jerseys in two different cities, I’m still waiting on that call from the Orlando Magic,” the Reebok Basketball president can be heard saying in his Home Depot freestyle. The show’s crew then followed up with a message from Alex Martins, Magic’s CEO.

“When someone asks who was the first player to officially put the Orlando Magic on the map, the answer is simple – Shaquille O’Neal,” Martins said. “He took this franchise to new heights, both on and off the court, and his legacy is still felt within our organization today. On behalf of the DeVos family, we are excited to honor Shaquille by raising No. 32 into the rafters of the Kia Center, where it will remain forever.”

Inside the NBA rounded out the celebration with a message from Shaq’s mother, Dr. Lucille O’Neal. Lucille referred to herself as her son’s “number one fan” and recalled the moment he was drafted. Shaq could be seen attempting to fight back tears as he listened to his momma shower him with love.

“Congratulations Shaquille on the retirement of your jersey with the Orlando Magic. Of course, this is your No. 1 fan saying congratulations to you,” Lucille said. “I can remember back when they called your name, Orlando Magic with the first pick, and they picked Shaquille O’Neal. We were all so happy for you as well as excited, and I had to tell you, you made us all proud with all of that joy and excitement you brought to the Orlando community. This award and this recognition is well deserved.”

O’Neal’s co-hosts cheered him on as he readied himself to accept Magic’s gesture. He first began by thanking ex-Magic owner Richard DeVos, the man who drafted him. DeVos passed away in 2018 at 92. “It was a great four years there,” the NBA legend remembered. “I just wanted to come in and just make a name for myself…I’d like to thank the city of Orlando, like to thank the Orlando Magic organization. Appreciate you very much.”

O’Neal was the team’s first pick in round one of the 1992 NBA Draft. The NBA immediately felt his impact on the court, with the athlete winning Rookie of the Year in 1992-93 and being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Shaq was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2016, he was selected to join the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

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