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 Rashaun O'Neal, or Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player and current sports analyst. Standing at 7-foot-1-inch and weighing 325 pounds, he played center for six NBA teams over his 19-year career. O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion widely considered one of the greatest basketball players and centers in history.
1969: Jerry West Playoff Game
In 1969, Jerry West scored 53 in a playoff game, the most for the Lakers.
1970: Willis Reed won MVP awards
In 1970, Willis Reed became one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year.
1985: Michael Jordan All-Star Starter
In 1985, Michael Jordan was the latest rookie to be voted as All-Star starter.
1989: Record-Breaking Rebounds
During the 1989 season, Shaquille O'Neal achieved a state record of 791 rebounds while playing at Robert G. Cole High School, showcasing his early basketball dominance.
1991: Adolph Rupp Trophy
In 1991, Shaquille O'Neal received the Adolph Rupp Trophy as NCAA men's basketball player of the year while playing for LSU.
1992: Drafted by Orlando Magic
In 1992, Shaquille O'Neal was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic, marking the start of his NBA career.
1992: Rookie of the Year Award
In 1992-93, Shaquille O'Neal was awarded the NBA Rookie of the Year award, marking a stellar start to his professional career.
November 20, 1993: First Triple-Double
On November 20, 1993, Shaquille O'Neal recorded the first triple-double of his career against the New Jersey Nets, with 24 points, 28 rebounds, and 15 blocks.
1993: NBA Rookie of the Year
In 1993, O'Neal was named the NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game.
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.
1995: Made One 3-point Shot
During the 1995-96 NBA season, O'Neal made his only career three-point shot while playing with the Orlando Magic.
1996: Michael Jordan won MVP awards
In 1996, Michael Jordan became one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year.
1996: Olympic Gold Medal
In the summer of 1996, Shaquille O'Neal won a gold medal with the United States Olympic basketball team at the Atlanta Olympics.
1998: Michael Jordan won MVP awards
In 1998, Michael Jordan became one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year.
1998: Led League in Field Goal Percentage
In 1998, Shaquille O'Neal led the league with a 58.4 field goal percentage, starting a four-season streak.
1999: Most Valuable Player Award
In 1999-2000, Shaquille O'Neal won the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, recognizing his exceptional performance.
March 6, 2000: Career-high 61 points on his birthday
On March 6, 2000, Shaquille O'Neal celebrated his 28th birthday by scoring a career-high 61 points, along with 23 rebounds, in a win against the Los Angeles Clippers.
December 8, 2000: Missed 11 Free Throws
On December 8, 2000, O'Neal missed all 11 of his free throw attempts in a game against the Seattle SuperSonics, setting a record.
2000: MVP Award
In 1999-2000 Shaquille O'Neal won the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year.
2000: First NBA Championship with the Lakers
In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant won their first NBA Championship together with the Lakers. O'Neal was named MVP of the NBA Finals.
2000: Named Regular Season MVP
In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal was voted the regular season Most Valuable Player. Also in 2000, O'Neal's commitment to defense, influenced by Jackson, resulted in his first All-Defensive Team selection.
2001: Second Consecutive NBA Championship
In 2001, O'Neal and the Lakers secured their second consecutive NBA championship, cementing their dynasty.
2001: Second NBA Championship with the Lakers
In 2001, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant won their second NBA Championship together with the Lakers. O'Neal was named MVP of the NBA Finals.
2002: Third NBA Championship with the Lakers
In 2002, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant won their third NBA Championship together with the Lakers. O'Neal was named MVP of the NBA Finals.
2002: Third Consecutive NBA Championship
In 2002, the Lakers, led by O'Neal, achieved their third straight NBA championship, further solidifying their legacy.
2005: League Leader in Field Goal Percentage
O'Neal finished the 2005–06 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
In 2006, O'Neal won his fourth NBA championship with the Miami Heat, demonstrating his continued success.
December 25, 2008: Missed 5,000th Free Throw
On December 25, 2008, O'Neal missed his 5,000th free throw, becoming the second player in NBA history to do so, along with 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.
2009: Missed Playoffs and All-NBA Third Team
In 2009, O'Neal missed the NBA playoffs for the first time since his rookie season. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team.
2009: All-Star Game Co-MVP
In 2009, O'Neal returned to the All-Star Game and was named co-MVP along with Kobe Bryant.
2009: Inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame
Shaquille O'Neal was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2009.
2010: Third Ranked Player All-Time in Free Throws Taken
As of the 2010-11 season, O'Neal was the third-ranked player all-time in free throws taken, with 11,252 attempts in 1,207 games.
2010: Last active American player to have a gold from the FIBA World Cup before 2010
Before 2010, Shaquille O'Neal was the last active American player to have won 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.
April 2, 2013: Lakers Retired Jersey
On April 2, 2013, the Los Angeles Lakers retired O'Neal's No. 34 jersey.
February 26, 2016: Miami Heat to Retire Jersey
On February 26, 2016, the Miami Heat announced that they would retire O'Neal's No. 32 jersey.
December 22, 2016: Miami Heat Retired Jersey
On December 22, 2016, the Miami Heat retired O'Neal's No. 32 jersey during halftime of a game against 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, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball's greats.
2017: Elected to FIBA Hall of Fame
In 2017, Shaquille O'Neal was elected into the FIBA Hall of Fame, further recognizing his global impact on basketball.
October 2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In October 2021, Shaquille O'Neal was honored again as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
2022: Ranked 8th Greatest Player by The Athletic
In 2022, The Athletic ranked O'Neal as the 8th greatest player in NBA history to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary.
December 13, 2023: Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 64 points
On December 13, 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 64 points against the Indiana Pacers. This was the first time a player scored 60 or more points without hitting a 3-pointer since Shaquille O'Neal did it on March 6, 2000.
February 13, 2024: Orlando Magic Retired Jersey
On February 13, 2024, the Orlando Magic retired O'Neal's No. 32 jersey, marking the first time they retired a player's number.
