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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal laughs as he attends the unveiling of the Shaq Courts at the Doolittle Complex donated by Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation in partnership with the city of Las Vegas on October 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Icy Hot)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal laughs as he attends the unveiling of the Shaq Courts at the Doolittle Complex donated by Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation in partnership with the city of Las Vegas on October 23, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Icy Hot)
Apart from his hilarious antics and jokes, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal made a name for himself through his insane play. Bullying defenders and breaking backboards regularly, a habit Shaq picked on very young in his career.
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PHOENIX – DECEMBER 21: Shaquille O’Neal #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw shot during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 21, 2009, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 109-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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In a recent photo which has gone viral, a young Shaq is seen almost breaking the backboard. Despite being only 16 years old, breaking backboards seemed to be a pushover for Shaq.
Shaquille O’Neal breaks backboards for fun
Whether it is LeBron James, Michael Jordan, or Shaquille O’Neal, all of them made a name before their NBA debut. Shaq played for the prestigious Louisiana State University where he dominated college basketball.
In a photo dating back to his high school days, a 16-year Shaq is seen hanging on to a hoop almost breaking the backboard in that process.
A 16-year-old Shaquille O'Neal slams it down for Cole High School. His senior year averages: 31 pts, 22 reb, and 6 ast. Shaq had a game where he grabbed 36 rebounds AND blocked 26 shots.
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) February 7, 2022
A HS scout said: "He has an absolutely unlimited future."
(via Corpus Christi Caller-Times) pic.twitter.com/mYNeKx1Bu7
The scout who predicted Shaq’s unlimited future got it to spot on. O’Neal ended his glorious career with 4 NBA titles and various other individual accolades.
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How good was Shaq before the NBA?
Shaquille O’Neal became the talk of the town before his NBA debut. He played for the prestigious LSU team and is one of their most glorious players. He has insane stats for the team and in respect, the University has retired his jersey number.
In 90 games for the LSU Tigers, Shaq averages 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks. That’s insane stats for a college-level player! (Source: NCAA.com)
Shaq brings down the basket in his first NBA season!
Shaq had taken the league by storm in his first season itself and he took it one step further. In his first season in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Shaq broke a backboard.
In a game against the New Jersey Nets during the 1992-93 season, a young O’Neal took the ball in the paint and decided to take down the basket along with it.
Moreover, Shaquille O’Neal walks off the court as if nothing had happened. The play restarted after getting a new backboard thanks to the exploits of young Shaq.
His rookie season with Orlando was phenomenal. O’Neal received the award of Rookie of the Year for the 1992-93 season and finished 8th in the overall scoring list.
Shaq averaged 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in his rookie season. Not bad for a rookie!
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What is your favorite memory of Shaquille O’Neal? Let us know in the comments below.
