SHAQUILLE O’Neal is set to join the elite sports icons of Los Angeles as the Lakers will unveil a larger-than-life statue of the NBA legend and Basketball Hall of Famer at the STAPLES Center before the team’s game on March 24, 2017.
A team release on NBA.com said the Lakers tribute to O’Neal will be a 1,200-pound, nine-foot bronze statue that will be suspended 10 feet above the ground at Star Plaza.
The 7-1 center played for the Lakers from 1996-2004 and led the team to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000-2002, winning the NBA Finals MVP award each time.
A seven-time All-Star with the Lakers, O’Neal was also named the NBA’s MVP in 2000.
O’Neal’s statue will join other sculptures of LA’s revered sports superstars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wayne Gretzky, Chick Hearn, Oscar De La Hoya, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson and Jerry West.
The ceremony will be highlighted by speeches from O’Neal, his teammates, colleagues and friends and will conclude with the unveiling of the statue.
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