Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Retired NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal was rumored to weigh up to 400 pounds during his 19-year professional career, but he was dwarfed Thursday when he unveiled a 900-pound monster bronze statue of himself at alma mater Louisiana State University.
LSU coach Trent Johnson, hundreds of fans, and former players and coaches attended the unveiling of the statue at the school’s practice facility in Baton Rouge, La., which depicts a young O’Neal performing one of his trademark double-handed dunks, the university’s website reported.
“I had no idea it was that big because Coach Johnson sent me the email pictures and I thought it was going to be some little thing. I think it’s beautiful. It’s fabulous,” O’Neal said after the ceremony.
O’Neal played at LSU between 1989-92, during which time he was a two-time All-American and two-time SEC Player of the Year.
After being selected by the Orlando Magic as the top pick in the 1992 draft, O’Neal went on to become one of the NBA’s most dominant players, winning four championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat and being crowned the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2000.
O’Neal retired earlier this year and is considered a sure-fire bet for admission to the NBA Hall of Fame.
