Lakers to unveil Shaq statue in March

Shaquille O’Neal. John Raoux/AP Photo

Shaquille O’Neal will soar at Staples Center again when the Los Angeles Lakers unveil a bronze statue of the NBA Hall of Famer next March 24.

The nine-foot (2.74m) bronze likeness portrays the larger-than-life Lakers great flying in mid-dunk and will be suspended 10 feet (3m) above the ground outside the arena.

O’Neal played for the Lakers from 1996-2004, helping the team to three straight NBA titles from 2000-2002.

He earned NBA Finals Most Valuable Player honors each of those years.

The Lakers had announced in January that the sculpture was in the works. The image will join that of other Los Angeles sports icons that already decorate Staples Center, including those of former NBA stars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Jerry West, NHL great Wayne Gretzky, boxer Oscar de la Hoya and sports broadcaster Chick Hearn.