By JessicaCamerato
CSNNE.com
In 1992 NBA Commissioner David Stern announcedthe Orlando Magic selected Shaquille ONeal with the first overall pick in the draft.
ONeal rose from his seat, smiled and pointed to himself, mouthing, Me? Me? before heading on stage to greet the commissioner.
On Wednesday, Stern issued a statement regarding the retirement of the iconic big man whose name he called nearly 20 years ago.
For 19 seasons, Shaquille O'Neal was literally and figuratively an NBA giant. On behalf of the NBA, its teams, and his millions of fans around the world, I want to thank Shaq for everything he has meant to the league and to the sport of basketball, both on and off the court. We wish him and his family all the best.
ONeal announced his retirement on Twitter earlier in the day, telling his fans in a video, "We did it. Nineteen years, baby. I thank you very much. That's why I'm telling you first. I'm about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon."
Jessica Camerato is on Twitter athttp:twitter.comjcameratoNBAShe can bereached at jessicacamerato@gmail.com.