The Los Angeles Lakers will be honoring Shaquille O’Neal with a statue in front of the Staples Center. There it joins existing statues: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Chick Hearn, Wayne Gretzky, and Oscar De La Hoya. Shaquille had four championships, three of which came from his seasons with the Lakers and the other with The Miami Heat.

“We look forward to having Shaq join the other legends who have been honored with statues at Staples Center,” Jeanie Buss, the Lakers president said.  She goes on to say that Shaq helped with building the Staples Center and making it known.

Shaquille played eight seasons with the Lakers (1996-2004). He won three championships with Kobe Bryant (2000, 2001, 2002).  He also made seven All- Star games in seven seasons with the Lakers. He won three titles, and an NBA MVP award. The Lakers retired his jersey (34) in April 2013 to honor him. Hopefully, he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. If he is chosen he will be inducted as a Lakers player.

O’Neal was surprised with the news on Jimmy Kimmel Live.  The picture Kimmel shows is Shaquille dunking with his Lakers uniform. O’Neal was shocked by the news and had a bright smile. Apparently the statue is to be unveiled sometime in the 2016-2017 season.