On Tuesday night, the Orlando Magic retired Shaquille O’Neal’s jersey with the franchise after the NBA legend started his career in Florida.
While reflecting on this special moment during his typical duties working with TNT, O’Neal said he didn’t expect this to ever happen with Orlando and that it’s “definitely an honor” to be the first-ever Magic player to have their jersey retired with the team.
Orlando is the third major team to retire O’Neal’s jersey, joining his college program LSU and the Los Angeles Lakers. You can hear how appreciative the NBA veteran is to finally have it all come full circle with the Magic.
“Out of all the ceremonies, this is the most exciting. … At LSU, I knew it was going to happen. … The Lakers, I kind of forced it to happen. … Orlando, I never thought this day would happen. … To be the first is definitely an honor."@Shaq on his @OrlandoMagic jersey… pic.twitter.com/W7m9aLJf3l
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 14, 2024
O’Neal had one of the best basketball careers of any of his peers, and it’s really awesome that he finally got the chance to see the Magic honor him formally as one of the franchise greats.
It’s a long time coming, but it’s also better late than never.
Congratulations, @Shaq!
We ♥️ you, Big Fella. pic.twitter.com/sWkOCMznZ5
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 14, 2024
