The Orlando Magic honored one of the best players to ever wear the uniform, Shaquille O’Neal, by retiring his #32 jersey on Tuesday night.
It was a long wait for O’Neal, who last played in Orlando during the 1996 season before making the switch to the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, he still led the franchise to the NBA Finals in 1995 and played a major role in the team’s history after joining in 1992. It was high time for the Magic to enshrine Shaq permanently for his immense contributions to Orlando.
His ceremony featured some really neat moments that will absolutely take you back, and we’ve gathered them for you below.
You can watch a replay of the jersey retirement ceremony on YouTube.
The Magic prepared a great tribute video for Shaq
#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
Lots of former Magic greats made it to support O'Neal
Magic legends showed up for @SHAQ's jersey retirement 🪄 pic.twitter.com/5WbsJjuCAb
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 14, 2024
Shaq himself got a hero's welcome
#32
Shaquuiiilllleeee O'Neeeaaallll pic.twitter.com/RQtlRfL0dg
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 14, 2024
Shaq sat on a special throne during his jersey retirement ceremony
https://t.co/ePz8crVbqt pic.twitter.com/UChyc14Mef
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 14, 2024
He got fitted in a special throwback Magic jacket
Shaq x Jeff Hamilton 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UeIbbI3u7d
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 14, 2024
Shaq got an awesome tribute from his former Orlando teammate Penny Hardaway
"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
He also got to watch the Magic debut his #32 jersey retirement banner
celebrating a legend
#32 ♾️ pic.twitter.com/vdwlKKATyI
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 14, 2024
The banner itself looked great
started in the O, forever in the rafters 🪄 pic.twitter.com/sPbIG38Xph
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 14, 2024
The ceremony was such a cool moment in NBA history
legendary https://t.co/Z5kVXgHC2l pic.twitter.com/nce5cIM6LN
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 14, 2024
