Shaquille O'Neal
After leaving LSU early, O'Neal was the No. 1 overall pick by Orlando in 1992 and won Rookie of the Year. He became a true superstar in 2000, capturing the regular-season MVP and leading the Lakers to the first of three straight titles as Finals MVP each time. That 1999-2000 season cemented him as the most dominant center of his era.
Instant Sensation
Standing 7-foot-1 and weighing over 300 pounds, O'Neal entered the NBA as a force unlike any before him. He won Rookie of the Year in 1993 and quickly carried the Orlando Magic to the 1995 Finals, redefining what a modern center could be.
Lakers Dynasty
After signing with Los Angeles in 1996, Shaq paired with a young Kobe Bryant to build a powerhouse. From 2000 to 2002 the Lakers won three consecutive championships, with O'Neal claiming Finals MVP in all three series.
Beyond the Court
O'Neal retired in 2011 as one of the highest-scoring players in league history. He reinvented himself as a beloved television analyst, businessman, and entertainer, remaining one of sport's most recognizable personalities.
Career Timeline
- 1992Drafted No. 1 overall by Orlando Magic from LSU
- 1993Named NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1995Led Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals
- 1996Signed with the Los Angeles Lakers
- 2000Won NBA MVP and first Finals MVP title
- 2001Won second straight championship and Finals MVP
- 2002Won third straight title, third Finals MVP
- 2006Won fourth ring with the Miami Heat
- 2011Retired after 19 NBA seasons
- 2016Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
Biggest Hits
- Shaq released several rap albums; his 1993 debut 'Shaq Diesel' went platinum.
- He earned a doctorate in education from Barry University in 2012.
Portrait: MarkScottAustinTX · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons