It is now 32 years since Shaquille O’Neal was drafted into the NBA and began the start of a very impressive and illustrious career. Most fans will know that Shaq is an incredibly well-known personality in the basketball world and has remained relevant for many years after retiring from the league. O’Neal has appeared as a sports analyst for ESPN, has his own podcast, and much more.
While many young fans will only know Shaq as a member of the media and a TV personality, the older fans will undoubtedly be able to remember what O’Neal accomplished when he entered the NBA and will recall his pure strength and dominance. With that being said, let us take a look back to his time as a rookie.
Shaquille O’Neal reportedly had just 10% body fat when he entered the NBA
If there is one trait that is associated with Shaquille O’Neal, it would be his large stature and imposing physique. Although Shaq endured some criticism for being out of shape towards the middle and end of his career, he was a physical specimen when he entered the NBA.
32 YEARS AGO TODAY
The Orlando Magic selected Shaq with the No. 1 pick.He was reportedly 301 lbs. with 10% body fat & a 36-inch vert when he made his NBA debut!
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 24, 2024
Reports reveal that Shaq was 301 lbs. with 10% body fat when he was drafted with the first pick of the 1992 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. Given that he was listed at 7’1, having a 36-inch vertical jump seemed almost unnatural. As soon as he entered the NBA, Shaq established himself as a force that none had seen. His rim-rocking dunks and sheer physicality were instantly noticed and celebrated by Orlando Magic fans.
By the time his career came to an end in 2010, Shaquille O’Neal had established himself as the most dominant and unstoppable force in the history of the league. Moreover, he is also considered by many to be one of the greatest centers ever and a certified top 10 player. O’Neal is also one of the few players who has done something that others would only dream of accomplishing.
Shaq is one of the few NBA stars who defeated a prime Michael Jordan in the playoffs
Although Michael Jordan retired from the league well before Shaq did, he is still regarded by many fans to be the greatest player in NBA history. After all, Jordan won 6 NBA championships within the span of 8 years. When Jordan completed his first three-peat with the Bulls, he retired temporarily and missed a season and a half of NBA basketball.
As he returned, Jordan was still as great as many expected. However, he ended up being eliminated from the playoffs by a young Shaquille O’Neal and the Orlando Magic. Not many players in NBA history could claim to have sent Michael Jordan home in the midst of his prime. Shaq and his squad managed to do just that.Although they ended up losing in the Finals to Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets, Shaq managed to win 4 NBA championships before his career came to an end.