Shaq Announces His Retirement

After 19 years in the game, Shaquille O’Neal announced today that he is retiring from pro-basketball. The 7’1″ Boston Celtics player rose to fame as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, but has been a featured player for the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, and Clevelenad Cavaliers since the beginning of his NBA career. He let the world know of plans to retire by posting a link to a video via Twitter, where he stated:

“We did it. Nineteen years baby. Thank you very much. That’s why I’m telling you first: I’m about to retire. Love ya, talk to you soon.

With an injury that has kept him out of almost the entire second half of the 2010-2011 season with the Celtics and being the oldest player in the NBA, it isn’t surprising that he is taking a step back from the pro-arena. He retires with some heavy accolades: 15-time All-Star member, 5th in all time career points, 3-time NBA Finals MVP, 4-time NBA championship winner and 1993 Rookie of the Year.
On the upside, he has more time to focus on his rap career, a reality show and his front lawn gymnastics with Hoopz.