Shaquille O’Neal turns 53: a look back

Former NBA star, sports analyst and actor Shaquille O’Neal turns 53 on March 6, 2025. Here’s look back at his career through the years.

Shaquille O’Neal, during his time on the Orlando Magic, lies in the stands after flying out of bounds while attempting a rebound off the New York Knicks’ Patrick Ewing at Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 1, 1996. O’Neal would later join the Los Angeles Lakers that same year.

O’Neal, as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, slam dunks the ball on November 16, 1997, as the Lakers defeated the Vancouver Grizzlies 117-94.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ Eric Davis waves to the crowd as O’Neal picks him up before a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds on July 8, 1999

Former President George W. Bush (R) receives a basketball from O’Neal in the East Room of the White House on January 28, 2002, to mark the Lakers winning the 2001 NBA Championship.

O’Neal (L) and Kobe Bryant watch from the bench as the Lakers face the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio on March 21, 2002.

O’Neal (C) holds up his new Miami Heat jersey with Heat head coach Stan Van Gundy (L) and team president Pat Riley in Miami on July 20, 2004. The Heat retired O’Neal’s jersey in 2016.

O’Neal (R) muscles into the Toronto Raptors’ Matt Bonner as he drives into the paint in Toronto on January 26, 2005.

O’Neal (R) and his ex-wife Shaunie Henderson arrive for the MTV Video Music Awards in Miami on August 28, 2005.

O’Neal (R) and Henderson arrive for the premiere of “Superman Returns” in Los Angeles on June 21, 2006

O’Neal, as a member of the Phoenix Suns, dunks the ball during a game against the Denver Nuggets in Denver on April 1, 2008.

O’Neal, as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, has a laugh on the bench as his team takes on the Knicks in New York City on November 6, 2009.

O’Neal challenges 2009 champion Kavya Shivashankar to spell a word before the final round at the Scripps 2010 National Spelling Bee in Washington on June 4, 2010.

O’Neal (R), as a member of the Boston Celtics, fouls Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose in Chicago on January 8, 2011. That same year, O’Neal retired and joined Turner Sports, where he continues to be a featured part of “Inside the NBA.”

O’Neal attends Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., on February 9, 2013.
O’Neal lifts Adam Sandler when they arrive on the red carpet at a special screening of “Grown Ups 2” in New York City on July 10, 2013.

Left to right, Guy Fieri, O’Neal and Ming Tsai stand together at the Wheels Up Super Saturday Tailgate party leading up to Super Bowl 50 on February 6, 2016, in San Francisco.

Bryant (L) receives congratulations from O’Neal in his final game on April 13, 2016.
Left to right, Shareef O’Neal, Shaquille O’Neal and Shaqir Shaq O’Neal attend the NBA Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 24, 2019. Shareef O’Neal followed in his father’s footsteps and also played basketball.
O’Neal arrives on the red carpet at the 2019 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year event in New York City on December 9, 2019. In 2023, Reebok hired O’Neal to head its basketball division.

O’Neal addresses family members, friends and fans attending the Celebration of Life event for the late Kobe and Gianna Bryant at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 24, 2020.

O’Neal walks through the crowd as he prepares to perform as a D.J. during the Mardi Gras Parade in St. Louis on February 26, 2022.