One of basketball’s most recognizable stars Shaquille O’Neal celebrates his 47th birthday on March 6. The former LA Lakers and Miami Heat star has become simply known as Shaq and is renowned for his huge size, even in a sport dominated by tall players, and ability to slam dunk the ball. To mark the big man’s birthday, here are a few ‘Shaq facts’ you need to know.
1. He was born Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal in Newark, New Jersey on March 6 1972.
2. O’Neal’s stepfather was in the military, which meant they moved around a lot and he actually went to high school in San Antonio, Texas where he helped his school Robert G Cole High School win a state championship.
3. He was a big fan of Kareem Abdul Jabbar and always wanted to wear his famous number 33. However, when it was unavailable, he would wear 32 or 34.
4. He never completed college, dropping out in his junior year at Louisiana State University to sign as a rookie for the Orlando Magic and he won Rookie of the Year in 1993.
5. He was traded to the LA Lakers in 1996 where we won three NBA Championship but his time there was also dominated by an ongoing feud with the Lakers’ other star player Kobe Bryant.
6. Shaq also had dreams of being a police officer and while at the Lakers, trained in with police officers in Los Angeles. He was made an honorary United States Deputy Marshal in 2005.
7. He is seven foot one inch tall and wears size 22 shoes.
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