Though the Orlando Magic have never won a championship, it was Shaquille O’Neal who brought them to their first Finals appearance. In just his third season. Nearly 30 years later, the franchise is ready to commemorate their former #1 pick. And they’re doing it with a historic first. Established as an expansion team in 1989, the Orlando Magic have been home to exceptional NBA talent like Scott Skiles, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady, Dwight Howard, and of course, the Big Diesel. But what’s different about the Magic is that they have never raised a jersey to their rafters. Well, until now.

The Orlando Magic decided to immortalize Shaq’s legacy by making him the first player in the franchise’s history to have his jersey retired. As historic a moment as it is, O’Neal confessed that he thought it had already happened 8 years ago.

Shaquille O’Neal spoke about his confusion

During the recent episode of ‘Inside the NBA’, the 4x NBA champion shared his misunderstanding with the viewers. As it turns out, Shaq had believed that the team would retire his jersey number upon his induction into the Magic’s Hall of Fame. Much to his disappointment, that didn’t happen back in 2015, as he was bestowed the Ring of Honor instead. Now as he finally gets his jersey raised, O’Neal spilled the beans on his 2015 experience.

The Big Aristotle said, “What’s funny so- a couple of years ago they did the Ring of Honor, and I thought I was getting my jersey retired. So, when I went there, I’m waiting to do the thing, so they take me like on the top floor.” He described how he kept waiting for the jersey to be raised as the ceremony proceeded.

“They just have like a wall, they did this thing, they did the Press conference, I was like, ‘That’s it?’ I was like, ‘I thought I was getting my Jersey.'” Much to his chagrin, the 2000 NBA MVP was then told about the Magic’s tradition. “Like, man we don’t do that here,” recalled Shaquille O’Neal. 

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The franchise might not have retired his jersey number when Shaq hung up his boots, however, they indeed broke their tradition to honor the larger-than-life personality’s contributions. 

Shaquille O’Neal expressed his gratitude for the honor 

Less than a year before they landed the #1 pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, the DeVos family purchased the franchise for $85 million. About 7 months later, the new owners would welcome a young Shaquille O’Neal to their team.

Now, 31 years since his draft, Shaq conveyed his appreciation for the recognition bestowed upon him, expressing deep gratitude for those involved. Sharing his happiness, the Los Angeles Lakers legend shared, “I would like to thank the DeVos family,” O’Neal said.

In humble fashion, the Hall of Famer said, “It was a great four years there. I just wanted to come in and make a name for myself.” And he did just that. It was during TNT’s “Inside the NBA” pregame show, when the CEO of the Orlando Magic, Alex Martins revealed the decision to retire O’Neal’s No. 32 jersey. 

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