Lakers President and Co-Owner Jeanie Buss released a statement Wednesday announcing that the Lakers will be erecting a statue of Shaquille O’Neal outside of the Staples Center to be unveiled sometime during the 2016-17 season:
“We look forward to having Shaq join the other legends who have been honored with statues at STAPLES Center,” Buss remarked. “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.”
Shaq learned the news in a funny bit on Jimmy Kimmel last night…
Jimmy Kimmel surprised Shaq with news of his Lakers statue at Staples Center. https://t.co/7HVabVuE8S
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 28, 2016
This was Shaq’s initial reaction:
ICYMI: @DjokerNole defeats @rogerfederer at the #AusOpen, @SHAQ gets a statue + much more https://t.co/KGClQSpkzA pic.twitter.com/PJyYH7eCkE
— SiriusXM (@SIRIUSXM) January 28, 2016
Shaq averaged 27 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.5 blocks in eight seasons with the Lakers. He won one NBA MVP award and three NBA championships and an NBA Finals MVP award.
