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The Los Angeles Lakers have announced March 24, 2017 as a day for celebration of three-time Lakers NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal, with a ceremony at STAPLES Center where his statue will be unveiled. Shaq will be chiseled into Los Angeles lore, joining Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Chick Hearn as permanent purple-and-gold fixtures in the home he helped build. Oscar De la Hoya and Wayne Gretzky are also honored with statues.
The 1200 lb., 9’ tall statue will be at the center of the celebration, which will not only be open to the public but free as well. The event begins at 5 p.m. prior to the Lakers game against Minnesota Timberwolves, and is located Star Plaza at STAPLES Center (West of Figueroa Street & Chick Hearn Court intersection).
O’Neal will make a speech during the event, with other unnamed friends and personalities from his career also expected to say a few words about The Big Shaqtue.
A cool event that’s there for the taking if you want to get out to Los Angeles, and an excuse to look at some classic Shaq footage. What more could you ask for?