Inside the NBA returns on ESPN and ABC on 21 October, with Shaquille O'Neal back alongside Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. Younger fans know the booming studio voice; the rest of us remember the most overwhelming centre the league has ever seen.
Shaq won four championships, three Finals MVPs and an MVP award, always with a grin. Here is his story, fan to fan, plus our Los Angeles Lakers collection.
Shaquille O'Neal Fact File
| Full name | Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 6 March 1972 (age 54) |
| Place of birth | Newark, New Jersey, USA |
| Height | 2.16 m (7 ft 1 in) |
| Position | Centre |
| Nationality | American |
| Current status | Retired (2011); Inside the NBA analyst on ESPN and ABC |
| Shirt number | 32 (Magic, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers), 34 (Lakers), 36 (Celtics) |
| Nickname | Shaq |
Career History
| Seasons | Team | Games | Points per game | Rebounds per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992-1996 | Orlando Magic | 295 | 27.2 | 12.5 |
| 1996-2004 | Los Angeles Lakers | 514 | 27.0 | 11.8 |
| 2004-2008 | Miami Heat | 205 | 19.6 | 9.1 |
| 2008-2009 | Phoenix Suns | 103 | 16.5 | 9.0 |
| 2009-2010 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 53 | 12.0 | 6.7 |
| 2010-2011 | Boston Celtics | 37 | 9.2 | 4.8 |
| 1992-2011 | Career | 1,207 | 23.7 | 10.9 |
Note: NBA regular season only; 2007-08 was split between Miami and Phoenix.
Early Years: An Army Kid From Newark
Born in Newark on 6 March 1972, Shaq grew up an army kid whose family moved often. At 13 he already stood about 6 ft 6 in when he met LSU coach Dale Brown. After the family settled in San Antonio, Texas, he chose Brown's LSU, was named national college player of the year in 1991 and left early for the 1992 draft, later returning to finish his degree in 2000.
Relive the journey with our Shaquille O'Neal Lakers Basketball Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
Breakthrough in Orlando
Orlando made him the first overall pick in 1992, and he was Rookie of the Year and the franchise's first All-Star. He carried the Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals, and a year later they won 60 games, still a club record. For his country he took gold and MVP at the 1994 FIBA World Championship, then Olympic gold in 1996.
Wear the Orlando years with our Shaquille O'Neal 32 Magic Jersey Frame Men's T-Shirt.
Lakers Dynasty: The Three-Peat
In 1996 Shaq joined the Lakers on a record deal, and once Phil Jackson arrived to coach him and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers won three straight titles from 2000 to 2002, with Shaq Finals MVP each time. In 2000 he also won league MVP and All-Star Game MVP, a rare treble. Desperate opponents simply fouled him, a tactic dubbed "Hack-a-Shaq".
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Miami Glory and the Final Chapters
Traded to Miami in 2004, Shaq won his fourth ring with the Heat in 2006. Spells with Phoenix, Cleveland and Boston followed before he retired in June 2011 after 19 seasons. He entered the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2016, and when Orlando retired his No. 32 in 2024 he joined Wilt Chamberlain and Pete Maravich as the only players with numbers retired by three franchises.
Honours
Team
- NBA champion: 2000, 2001, 2002 (Lakers), 2006 (Heat)
- Olympic gold medal: 1996
- FIBA World Championship gold medal: 1994
Individual
- NBA Most Valuable Player: 2000
- NBA Finals MVP: 2000, 2001, 2002
- NBA Rookie of the Year: 1993
- 15-time NBA All-Star; All-Star Game MVP 2000, 2004, 2009
- 14 All-NBA selections (8 First Team)
- FIBA World Championship MVP: 1994
Legacy
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: 2016
- FIBA Hall of Fame: 2017
- Named to the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams
- Numbers retired by the Lakers (34), Heat (32) and Magic (32)
Away From the Game
Shaq is a fixture on Inside the NBA, which moved to ESPN and ABC in 2025-26. During his playing days he also released rap records and starred in films including Blue Chips and Kazaam.
FAQs
How old is Shaquille O'Neal?
Shaquille O'Neal was born on 6 March 1972, so he is 54 years old.
Where was Shaquille O'Neal born?
Newark, New Jersey.
How tall is Shaquille O'Neal?
He is listed at 7 ft 1 in, which is 2.16 m.
What teams did Shaquille O'Neal play for?
Orlando, the Lakers, Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland and Boston.
How many points did Shaquille O'Neal score in his career?
28,596 regular-season points, averaging 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds.
What was Shaquille O'Neal's greatest season?
2000, when he won league MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP.
Shop the Shaquille O'Neal Collection
Add some Shaq-sized swagger to your wardrobe.
Explore more from Shaq's clubs in our Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat collections, browse the full basketball collection, or design your own with our custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Kobe Bryant Career Story and Magic Johnson Career Story.
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