Shaquille O’neal’s First NBA Game

On this day in 1992, Shaquille O’Neal made his Nba Debut with the Orlando Magic He would go on to have an incredible career, becoming one of the league’s most dominant players.

Introduction

On November 6, 1992, Shaquille O’Neal made his debut in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The game was between the Orlando Magic who had selected O’Neal with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft and the visiting New Jersey Nets It was the first game of a four-game road trip for the Magic.

Early years and high school

Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey, to Lucille O’Neal and Joseph Toney, who played High School basketball (he was nicknamed “Joe T”), and became proficient at track and field. Shaq’s father died of a heart attack when Shaq was 12. After his father’s death, he was raised by his mother and stepfather, Phillip A. Harrison, a career military sergeant. He later moved to San Antonio Texas to join his stepfather after his mother remarried.

College

Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal (/ʃəˈkiːl/ shə-KEEL; born March 6, 1972), nicknamed Shaq (/ʃæk/ SHAK), is an American former professional basketball player who is currently a sports analyst on the television program Inside The NBA Standing 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall and weighing 325 pounds (147 kg), he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA. O’Neal played for six teams throughout his 19-year NBA Career

O’Neal’s individual accolades include the 1999–2000 MVP Award the 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year Award 15 All-Star game selections, three All-Star Game MVP Awards three Finals MVP Awards two Shaqnosis shoes, and an Olympic gold medal He is one of only three players to win NBA MVP All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000); he also joined Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to win NCAA Player of the Year, NBA Rookie of the Year, and NBA Most Valuable Player within their first four seasons. He ranks 8th all-time in points scored 6th in field goals 15th in assists, 8th in blocks, and 8th in minutes played Largely due to his ability to dunk from considerable distances away from the basket with power governed by his enormous frame and strength,[nb 1] O’Neal also became known for his durability and for his ability to play through injuries.

Professional career

Shaquille O’Neal, nicknamed “Shaq” (/ʃɑːk/ shahk), is an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA on TNT. He is considered one of the greatest players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. At 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall and 325 pounds (147 kg), he was one of the largest players ever to play in the NBA. As a Freshman at Louisiana State University O’Neal was named NCAA College Player of the Year and led his team to the 1991 NCAA Final Four. He left college early to pursue a professional career in the NBA, and was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft He quickly became one of the best centers in the league, winning Rookie of the Year in 1992–93 and later leading his team to the 1995 NBA Finals After four years with Orlando, O’Neal signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won three consecutive championships from 2000–2002.

Personal life

Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal (/ʃəˈkiːl/ shə-KEEL; born March 6, 1972), nicknamed Shaq (/ʃæk/ SHAK), is an American former Professional Basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA on TNT. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. At 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall and 325 pounds (147 kg), he was one of heaviest players ever to play in the NBA. O’Neal played for six teams throughout his 19-year nba career.

Personal life
O’Neal has four children: Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me’arah. He had two other children, Taahirah and Shareef II, with his first wife Arnetta Yardbourgh, but they divorced when the children were young. In 2007 he married Shaunie Nelson with whom he has four children: Myles, Shareef, Shaqir, and Amirah.

Business career

Shaquille O’Neal began his business career while still in the NBA. In 2000, he formed a film production company, TruTV Productions, now known as Unitco, with partner Jeff Clanagan. The company has an exclusive deal with Warner Bros and has produced the films All About the Benjamins and Like Mike. O’Neal is also a part-owner of 150 Auntie Anne’s locations.

Philanthropy

Shaquille O’Neal is well-known for his philanthropy. In his first NBA game he scored twenty-three points, pulled down thirteen rebounds, and had three assists. After the game, he was asked what he would do with his game check. His answer? “I’m going to buy a Suit.” The reporter followed up, “What are you going to do with the rest of your money?” Shaq replied without missing a beat, “I’m going to buy a yacht.”

Media career

Shaquille O’neal’s first NBA game was played on November 3, 1992, against the Portland Trail Blazers He scored 28 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and had two blocks in a 116-106 Lakers victory. After the game, Lakers Coach Mike Dunleavy said, “I don’t think there’s any question that [O’neal] is the best center in the league right now. He just dominates inside.”

In his first season, O’neal was named to the All-Rookie Team and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Alonzo Mourning of the Charlotte Hornets He also helped lead the Lakers to the 1993 NBA Finals where they lost to the Chicago Bulls in five games.

NBA career

Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal (/ʃəˈkiːl/ shə-KEEL; born March 6, 1972), nicknamed Shaq (/ʃæk/ SHAK), is an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA on TNT. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history At 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall and 325 pounds (147 kg), he was one of the tallest and heaviest players ever. O’Neal played for six teams throughout his 19-year NBA career

O’Neal’s individual accolades include four NBA championships 15 All-Star Appearances eight All-NBA First Team selections nine All-Defensive First Team honors, five MVP Awards three Finals MVPs, and two scoring titles. He is one of only three players to win NBA MVP All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000); he joins Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to achieve that feat. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. In addition to his basketball career O’Neal has released four rap albums with his fifth album scheduled for release in 2019. He has starred in numerous films and has guest starred on several television programs.

Post-NBA career

O’Neal retired from the NBA in 2011 after 19 seasons. In those 19 seasons, Shaq played for 6 different teams: the Orlando Magic Los Angeles Lakers Miami Heat Phoenix Suns Cleveland Cavaliers and finally the Boston Celtics He was an NBA Champion on four occassions (three with the Lakers, one with the Heat), a three-time Finals MVP and a 15-time All-Star.

After retiring from the NBA, Shaq has kept himself busy with a number of different ventures. He has worked as an analyst on TNT’s Inside the NBA released several rap albums (both solo and with the group Mo’ Thugs), and even dabbled in acting and professional wrestling. In 2012, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame