Shaquille O'Neal
Born: March 6th, 1972
Birthplace: Newark, NJ
High School: Robert G. Cole
College: Louisiana State
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, frequently referred to simply as "Shaq", is an American professional basketball player, rapper, and actor. He is widely perceived as one of the most dominant players in the history of the NBA, and one of the most quotable athletes of all time. Currently, he plays at center for the Phoenix Suns. O'Neal has won four NBA Championships, three with the Los Angeles Lakers and one most recently in 2006, with the Miami Heat. +more
O'Neal first gained national attention as a star at Linton Middle School. He led his Robert G. Cole High School team, San Antonio, Texas, to a 68?1 record during his two years there and helped the team win the state title his senior year. His 791 rebounds during the 1989 season remain a state record for any one player in any classification.
After graduating from high school, O'Neal attended Louisiana State University. While playing at LSU, O'Neal was a two-time All-American, two-time SEC player of the year, and received the Adolph Rupp Trophy as NCAA men's basketball player of the year in 1991. He also holds the NCAA record for blocked shots in a game with 17 blocks against Mississippi State on December 3, 1990. O'Neal left LSU early to pursue his NBA career, but returned to school in 2000 and received a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies. He was later inducted into the LSU Hall of Fame.
O'Neal was drafted as the 1st overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. Averaging 23.4 points and 13.9 rebounds per game for the season, O'Neal was named the 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year. In his third season, O'Neal led the NBA in scoring and was voted into his third straight All-Star Game; Orlando won 57 games and won the Atlantic Division. After defeating Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls and Reggie Miller's Indiana Pacers, the Magic reached the NBA Finals, but were swept by the defending NBA champion Houston Rockets. O'Neal made the All-NBA 2nd Team and was second in MVP voting.
At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, after the 1995?96 season, it was announced that O'Neal would join the Los Angeles Lakers on a seven-year, $121 million contract. His arrival rapidly raised expectations of the young team. Teaming with Kobe Bryant and Coach Phil Jackson, O'Neal and the Lakers won three consecutive NBA titles between 2000-2002. O'Neal was named MVP of the NBA Finals all three times and has the highest scoring average for a center in NBA Finals history. O'Neal was also voted the 1999?2000 regular season Most Valuable Player.
On July 14, 2004, O'Neal was officially traded to the Miami Heat for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and a future first-round draft choice. In the 2006 NBA Playoffs, the Miami Heat would go on to win their first NBA Championship.
The Phoenix Suns acquired O'Neal from the Miami Heat in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. O'Neal made his Suns debut on February 20, 2008 against his former Lakers team, scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in the process.
- Career
- Businesses
- Endorsements
Pro Basketball Career
Olympics Career
Men's College Basketball Career
1989 - 1992
While at LSU O'Neal recorded career averages of 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 30.5 minutes in 90 games while connecting on 61 percent of his field goal attempts. He was a consensus First Team All-American following both his sophomore and junior seasons and was named college basketball?s Player of the Year by The Associated Press, UPI and Sports Illustrated following his sophomore year when he averaged 27.6 points and an NCAA-leading 14.7 rebounds. He led the NCAA in blocks as a junior (5.3 bpg).
In 1992 O'Neal became the first LSU athlete to be named Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Year. He concluded his three-year career as the SEC?s all-time leader in blocked shots while becoming the first player to lead the conference in rebounding three consecutive years since Charles Barkley .
Career Events
Feb 6, 2008
Traded to Phoenix Suns
Traded from the Miami Heat to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
Aug 2, 2005
Signed to a 5-year contract extension
Re-signed to a 5-year, $100 million contract extension with the Miami Heat.
Jul 14, 2004
Traded to Miami Heat
Traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Caron Butler, first round pick (2006 #26-Jordan Farmar), second round pick (2007 #50-Renaldas Seibutis).
Jul 18, 1996
Signed as a Free Agent with L.A. Lakers
Signed to a 7 year, $120 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Aug 7, 1992
Signed first NBA contract
Signed a 7 year $39.9 million contract with the Orlando Magic.
Jun 24, 1992
Drafted by the Orlando Magic
Drafted by the Orlando Magic in the 1st round (1st overall) of the 1992 NBA Draft.
Outstanding Performances
Recent tweets from @THE_REAL_SHAQ:
On the web:
Current Contract Details
- Contract Term:1 year
- Free Agent:2011
- Current Agent:Perry Rogers
- Contract Signed:August 4, 2010
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