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Regular Session, 2013 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 137
BY SENATOR LONG
A RESOLUTION
To commend Shaquille O'Neal for being named to the 2013 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
Induction Class.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches, Louisiana, was
accepted in the state museum system in the 2003 Regular Legislative Session, setting the
stage for Louisiana and the city of Natchitoches to collaborate with the Louisiana Sports
Writers Association; and
WHEREAS, born in Newark, New Jersey, and following his college career at
Louisiana State University (LSU), Shaquille O'Neal was drafted in 1992 by the National
Basketball Association (NBA) Orlando Magic as a first overall draft pick; and
WHEREAS, known as one of the heaviest professional basketball players at three
hundred and twenty-five pounds, he quickly became one of the top centers in the league,
winning Rookie of the Year in 1992 -1993, and later leading his team to the 1995 NBA
Finals; and
WHEREAS, over his nineteen year professional career, he won three consecutive
championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002 with the Orlando Magic, and after being traded to
the Miami Heat, he won his fourth championship in 2004 and fifth in 2006; and
WHEREAS, midway through his 2007-2008 season he was traded to the Phoenix
Suns, and thereafter played with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009-2010 season, and the
Boston Celtics in the 2010-2011 season before retiring; and
WHEREAS, Mr. O'Neal's individual accolades include the 1999-2000 MVP award,
the 1992-1993 NBA Rookie of the Year award, fifteen All-State game selections, three All-
State Game MVP awards, three Finals MVP awards, two scoring titles, fourteen All-NBA
team selections, and three NBA All-Defensive Team selections; and SR NO. 137 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, he is one of only three players, along with Michael Jordan and Willis
Reed, to win NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP and Finals MVP awards in 2000, and ranks
sixth all-time in points scored, fifth in field goals, thirteenth in rebounds, and seventh in
blocks; and
WHEREAS, along with an extraordinary NBA career, Mr. O'Neal has released four
rap albums, with his first, Shaq Diesel, going platinum, has appeared in numerous films, and
has starred in his own reality shows, Shaq's Big Challenge and Shaq Vs.; and
WHEREAS, as a retired NBA player, Shaquille O'Neal is an LSU graduate, a former
rapper, and a current analyst on the television program, Inside the NBA.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Shaquille O'Neal for being named one of the nine 2013 Louisiana
Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Shaquille O'Neal and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE