ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic, celebrating their 35th anniversary this season, will officially retire jersey #32 in honor of Shaquille O’Neal during a postgame ceremony on February 14.
The event will take place following the Magic’s game against Oklahoma City, with tip-off at 8:30 a.m. Philippine time.
O’Neal becomes the first player in franchise history to have his number retired.
"When someone asks who was the first player to officially put the Orlando Magic on the map, the answer is simple - Shaquille O’Neal," said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins.
"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 #32 into the rafters of the Kia Center, where it will remain forever."
Magic Chairman Dan DeVos said, "Through his dominating play, larger-than-life personality, and generous contributions to The City Beautiful, Shaquille O’Neal had a transformational impact on this team and this town. Our family and the entire franchise couldn’t be more pleased for Shaquille to receive this well-deserved honor, further cementing his enduring legacy here in Orlando as we collectively look back on his tremendous accomplishments in a Magic uniform."
Selected by Orlando with the first overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft, O'Neal spent four seasons with the Magic from 1992-96. He appeared in 295 regular season games (293 starts) with Orlando, averaging 27.2 ppg., 12.5 rpg., 2.4 apg. and 2.79 blkpg. in 37.8 minpg., while shooting .581 (3,208-5,522 FG) from the floor.
O'Neal was named an NBA All-Star four times as a member of the Magic, named to the All-NBA Second Team once (1994-95) and All-NBA Third Team twice (1993-94, 1995-96). He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1992-93 and was the NBA's Rookie of the Year.
O'Neal still ranks among the franchise's all-time leaders in several categories, including blocked shots (second, 824), rebounding (third, 3,691), free throws made (third, 1,602), field goals made (fourth, 3,208) and points scored (sixth, 8,019). His 27.2 points per game average is the second-highest in team history and he helped Orlando reach the 1995 NBA Finals.
O’Neal was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame in 2015 and was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. He was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in October 2021.
