Shaquille O’Neal, popularly referred to as Shaq is a retired Basketball Legend. He has played for a number of NBA teams which includes; Lakers, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. Shaq has achieved a lot in his career as a Basketball player. His achievements include; four NBA Championships, three MVP awards at NBA finals.
In addition to his accomplishments on the basketball court, Shaq has excelled in a variety of non-sporting endeavors. He is a philanthropist, TV host, and prosperous businessman.
His basketball journey started while he was in Senior High at Robert G. Cole in San Antonio. Shaq became well-known after his college team won the State championship, which attracted the attention of elite basketball teams. He attended Louisiana State University (LSU), where he solidified his name as one of the top basketball players with extraordinary ball handling abilities.
1991 saw him awarded the title of College Consensus Player of the Year. Shaq was selected as the top pick in the NBA Draft by Orlando Magic. This team helped him launch his legendary career in 1992.
O’Neal, who won rookie of the year in 1992–3 and voted an All-Star Starter, helped the Magic to a 20–win season, an improvement over their previous record. In his second season, Shaq helped the Magic to their first playoffs. In 1995, Orlando Magic went to the NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets. Magic was playing in the NBA Finals for the first time but they however lost the game.
Despite his physique which made it impossible to stop him on the offensive, injuries ruined O’Neal’s 1995-6 season. However, Magic was able to finish the season with a winning record. The playoffs that year saw Shaq and his team winning the first two rounds but were defeated by the Chicago Bulls.
Shaq participated in the 1996 Olympic men’s basketball team that represented the United States. They took first place and took home the gold. That same year, he joined the Lakers. His move to the Lakers was prompted by growing tension between his coach, teammates, and the local Orlando media.
He was offered a seven year contract by the Lakers and the deal was valued at $121 million. O’Neal met with Kobe Bryant who happens to be a great talent and one of the world’s iconic basketball stars of all time. Even though he had a successful career while at his new club, it was short-lived as injuries came in, making it impossible to win a championship.
After the Chicago Bulls hired a new coach, the Lakers began to improve. The club finally achieved the success they deserved after Philip Jackson, the new coach, won the championship twice in a succession beginning in 1999.
Shaq joined the Miami Heat in 2004 after leaving the Lakers, and the following year he inked a $100 million five-year contract. The Miami Heat secured the team’s first title by triumphing over the Dalla Mavericks. Heat won that title for the first time.
The superstar has a few more years to play after teams cease offering him long-term contracts. That year, after being moved to the Phoenix Suns, he missed the playoffs for the first time. Playing alongside LeBron James, O’Neal joined the Cleveland Cavaliers but did not stay long. He eventually transferred to the Boston Celtics, where he played his final season.
Shaq Net Worth
Shaq estimated net worth is hovering around $500 million. He had an enviable career which gave him more earnings. He made close to $293 million from basketball. Shaq garnered $200 million from endorsement deals during his NBA days. Shaq makes $60 million annually on endorsements after getting off the court.
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