Los Angeles Lakers To Erect Statue Of Shaquille O’Neal Outside Staples Center

While he also spent time with the Magic, Heat and Suns, Shaquille O’Neal‘s best years came as a Los Angeles Laker. And with the legendary big man’s presumed hall of fame induction getting closer, the Lakers are taking another step to honor Shaq.

During the 2016-17 season, the team will unveil a statue of the center outside the Staples Center; he’ll join Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Wayne Gretzky, Oscar de la Hoya, Chick Hearn, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Luc Robitaille in what is known as Star Plaza.

“We look forward to having Shaq join the other legends who have been honored with statues at STAPLES Center,” said Lakers President and co-owner Jeanie Buss. “He is a giant not only in size, but also in stature and in what he accomplished as a Laker. Shaq literally broke the ground for the site, and was hugely responsible for not only getting STAPLES Center built, but for making it one of the most successful and famous arenas in the world. It’s an honor that is well deserved.”

The statue will depict O’Neal hanging from the rim after one of his signature dunks, as was revealed to him on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Photo: TV personality/retired basketball player Shaquille O’Neal onstage at The Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber at Sony Pictures Studios on March 14, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Article by Joe Kozlowski