Shaquille O’Neal is officially the first jersey retired by the Orlando Magic organization. The legendary center had his No. 32 raised to the rafters in a postgame ceremony.
“You know, there’s an old saying: Never forget where you come from,” O’Neal said. “And my professional career started here. I’ve been living here mostly all my life. The fans have been hospitable. The people have been very, very hospitable. I never thought this day would happen.”
“There’s no one more deserving to be the first than Shaq,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said. “Shaq put the Orlando Magic on the map. And the foundation of his Hall of Fame career started right here in Orlando.”
Shaq is now the third player to have his jersey retired by three franchises, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Pete Marovich. His No. 34 is retired by the Los Angeles Lakers, and his No. 32 is retired by the Miami HEAT.
#32
the first player in Magic history to have his number retired
thank you @SHAQ!
pic.twitter.com/EvfxCuTQAX
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 14, 2024
“You made me great watching you become great… I owe my entire career to having you in my life.”
@Iam1Cent‘s message to Shaq pic.twitter.com/WpEFLNkqC2
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 14, 2024
The post SOURCE SPORTS: Shaq’s No. 32 Retired by Orlando Magic first appeared on The Source.
The post SOURCE SPORTS: Shaq’s No. 32 Retired by Orlando Magic appeared first on The Source.