Shaquille O'Neal's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Shaquille O'Neal. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Shaquille O'Neal, known as Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player and current sports analyst. Standing at 7-foot-1 and weighing 325 pounds, he played center for six NBA teams over his 19-year career. A four-time NBA champion, O'Neal is widely considered one of basketball's greatest players and centers of all time.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1969: Jerry West Playoff Scoring Record

In 1969, Jerry West scored 53 points, the most for the Lakers in a playoff game, before Shaquille O'Neal scored 46 in 1996.

1970: Willis Reed wins NBA MVP

In 1970, Willis Reed won the NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards.

1985: Michael Jordan All-Star Starter

In 1985, Michael Jordan was the first rookie to be voted an All-Star starter before Shaquille O'Neal did the same.

1989: State Record for Rebounds

During the 1989 season, Shaquille O'Neal recorded 791 rebounds, setting a state record for a player in any classification while playing at Robert G. Cole High School.

1991: Adolph Rupp Trophy

In 1991, while at LSU, Shaquille O'Neal received the Adolph Rupp Trophy as NCAA men's basketball player of the year.

1992: NBA Rookie of the Year Award

In 1992 Shaquille O'Neal was awarded NBA Rookie of the Year award.

November 20, 1993: First Triple-Double

On November 20, 1993, Shaquille O'Neal recorded his first career triple-double against the New Jersey Nets, with 24 points, 28 rebounds, and 15 blocks.

1993: NBA Rookie of the Year

In 1993, Shaquille O'Neal was named the NBA Rookie of the Year.

1994: FIBA World Championship MVP

In 1994, O'Neal was named MVP of the FIBA World Championship, where he led Dream Team II to a gold medal with an 8-0 record, averaging 18 points and 8.5 rebounds.

1994: Leads NBA in Scoring

In the 1994-1995 NBA season, Shaquille O'Neal led the NBA in scoring with a 29.3 point average.

1996: Michael Jordan wins NBA MVP

In 1996, Michael Jordan won the NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards.

1996: Atlanta Olympics Gold Medal

In 1996, O'Neal won another gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics with a perfect 8-0 record, averaging 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. He rotated with Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson.

1998: Michael Jordan wins NBA MVP

In 1998, Michael Jordan won the NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards.

1999: Most Valuable Player Award

In 1999 Shaquille O'Neal was awarded Most Valuable Player (MVP).

1999: MVP Vote Short

In 1999, O'Neal was one vote short of becoming the first unanimous MVP in NBA history. Fred Hickman, then of CNN, instead chose Allen Iverson.

March 6, 2000: Career-High Scoring Game

On March 6, 2000, Shaquille O'Neal's 28th birthday, he achieved a career-high of 61 points, along with 23 rebounds and 3 assists, in a 123-103 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

December 8, 2000: Missing All Free Throws

On December 8, 2000, Shaquille O'Neal missed all 11 of his free throw attempts in a game against the Seattle SuperSonics, setting a record for futility in free throw shooting.

2000: Mutombo as Defensive Player of the Year

In 2000, Dikembe Mutombo won the Defensive Player of the Year award, later to be the player that O'Neal fouled out on in the 2001 NBA Finals Game 3.

2000: First NBA Title

In 2000, O'Neal and Bryant, utilizing Jackson's triangle offense, began their successful run, leading the Lakers to their first of three consecutive titles.

2000: MVP Award and All-Defensive Team Selection

In 2000, O'Neal was voted the regular season Most Valuable Player, narrowly missing a unanimous vote, and was also selected for the All-Defensive Team (second-team).

2000: Earning Bachelor's Degree from LSU

In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal fulfilled his promise to his mother by earning his B.A. degree in general studies from LSU, with a minor in political science. He missed a home game to attend graduation, stating he could now get a real job.

2000: First NBA Championship with Lakers

In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal won his first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.

2000: MVP Award and All-Star Game MVP

In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal won the NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards.

2001: Second NBA Title

In 2001, O'Neal and Bryant, utilizing Jackson's triangle offense, led the Lakers to their second of three consecutive titles.

2001: Second NBA Championship with Lakers

In 2001, Shaquille O'Neal secured his second NBA championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

2002: Third NBA Title

In 2002, O'Neal and Bryant, utilizing Jackson's triangle offense, led the Lakers to their third consecutive title. O'Neal was named MVP of the NBA Finals all three times.

2002: Third NBA Championship with Lakers

In 2002, Shaquille O'Neal won his third consecutive NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.

2004: All-Star and MVP Runner-up

In 2004, O'Neal made his 12th consecutive All-Star Team, made the All-NBA 1st Team, won the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award, and narrowly lost the 2004-05 MVP Award to Steve Nash.

2005: Earning MBA Degree

In 2005, Shaquille O'Neal earned an online MBA degree through the University of Phoenix, stating it was something to have on his resume for when he goes back into reality.

2005: League Leader in Field Goal Percentage

In 2005-2006, O'Neal finished the season as the league leader in field goal percentage.

April 11, 2006: Second Career Triple-Double

On April 11, 2006, O'Neal recorded his second career triple-double against the Toronto Raptors with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high 10 assists.

2006: Fourth NBA Championship with Heat

In 2006, Shaquille O'Neal won his fourth NBA championship with the Miami Heat.

2006: Playoff Loss and Career Milestone

In 2006, the Heat were swept by the Bulls in the first round of the NBA playoffs, marking the first time in 50 years a defending champion was swept in the opening round. Despite this, O'Neal reached 25,000 career points, becoming the 14th player in NBA history to achieve this milestone.

December 25, 2008: Missing 5,000th Free Throw

On December 25, 2008, O'Neal missed his 5,000th free throw, becoming only the second player in NBA history to reach that mark, alongside Wilt Chamberlain.

February 27, 2009: 45-Point Game Against Raptors

On February 27, 2009, O'Neal scored 45 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a game against the Toronto Raptors, marking his 49th career 40-point game. The Suns won 133-113.

2009: Missed Playoffs and All-NBA Third Team Selection

In 2009, O'Neal missed the NBA Playoffs for the first time since his rookie season in 1992-93, and he was named to the All-NBA Third Team. The Suns notified O'Neal that he might be traded to reduce costs.

2009: All-Star Game Co-MVP

In 2009, O'Neal returned to the All-Star Game and shared the MVP award with Kobe Bryant.

2009: Inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame

In 2009, Shaquille O'Neal was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

2010: Last Active American with FIBA Gold

Before 2010, O'Neal was the last active American player to have a gold medal from the FIBA World Cup.

January 31, 2012: Honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans

On January 31, 2012, Shaquille O'Neal was honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans.

2012: Receiving Ed.D. Degree

In 2012, Shaquille O'Neal received his Ed.D. degree in Human Resource Development from Barry University, with his doctoral capstone topic being "The Duality of Humor and Aggression in Leadership Styles".

April 2, 2013: Lakers Retire Jersey

On April 2, 2013, the Los Angeles Lakers retired Shaquille O'Neal's No. 34 jersey.

2014: Cole High Retires No. 33

In 2014, Cole High retired Shaquille O'Neal's No. 33 jersey.

February 26, 2016: Miami Heat Jersey Retirement Announcement

On February 26, 2016, the Miami Heat announced they would retire O'Neal's No. 32 jersey during the 2016-17 season. This made O'Neal one of just 32 athletes in American professional sports history to have his jersey retired by multiple teams.

December 22, 2016: Miami Heat Retires Jersey

On December 22, 2016, the Miami Heat retired Shaquille O'Neal's No. 32 jersey during halftime of a game against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

2016: Elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2016, Shaquille O'Neal was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

2017: Elected to the FIBA Hall of Fame

In 2017, Shaquille O'Neal was elected to the FIBA Hall of Fame.

October 2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In October 2021, Shaquille O'Neal was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

2022: Ranked Among NBA's Greatest

In 2022, The Athletic ranked Shaquille O'Neal as the 8th greatest player in NBA history to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary.

December 13, 2023: Antetokounmpo's 64-Point Game

On December 13, 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 64 points against the Indiana Pacers. This was the first instance of a player scoring 60 or more points without hitting a 3-pointer since O'Neal's performance on March 6, 2000.

February 13, 2024: Orlando Magic Retires Jersey

On February 13, 2024, the Orlando Magic retired Shaquille O'Neal's No. 32 jersey, marking the first time they retired a player's number. He became the third player to have his number retired by three NBA teams, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Pete Maravich.