WATCH: Magic Legend Shaquille O'Neal Reacts to Jersey Retirement
The Orlando Magic is one of the three remaining teams in the NBA that has not retired a player's jersey number, but that all changes on Tuesday night.
Shaquille O'Neal's No. 32 jersey will be the first to hang from the rafters of the Kia Center following Tuesday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
"I never thought this day would come," O'Neal said. Again, when I came to the Ring Ceremony, I thought that was the last time I would be honored. … I was not expecting this, but like I said, I’ll take it!"
O'Neal was inducted into the Orlando Magic Ring of Honor in 2015, which was originally the highest honor for any player in the franchise. However, that has changed with Shaq.
In his four seasons with the Magic, O'Neal averaged 27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks before his departure for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996.
O'Neal has already had his jersey retired by two other teams, the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers, so it only makes sense that the team that drafted him puts his number in the rafters.
O'Neal led the Magic to its first ever Finals appearance in 1995, and he is one of the most impactful players in both the team's history and the league's history.
