After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Orlando Magic who selected him first overall in the 1992 National Basketball Association Draft, 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year Shaquille O’Neal departed Orlando and signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1996 offseason. The dominating center who led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995 while also earning the NBA scoring title was expected to make an immediate impact for the purple and gold. Shaq averaged 26.2 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. The Lakers won 56 games his first season and were eliminated by the Utah Jazz in the second round of the playoffs. Shaq’s arrival in Los Angeles would mark the beginning of a dynasty that would see the Lakers win three Larry O’Brien championships during the early 2000s.

Presented here is a 1996-97 pro-cut Los Angeles Lakers home jersey signed by Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. The gold mesh pullover jersey features purple and white trim on the sleeves and collar. The number “34” appears on the chest and back of the jersey in purple-on-white tackle twill. “LAKERS” is displayed across the chest in purple-on-white tackle twill. An NBA “Logoman” patch embroidered in red, white, and blue appears on the left shoulder of the jersey. A Champion Los Angeles Lakers “DESIGNED AND TAILORED 96/97 EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS BODY LENGTH +6” manufacturing tag appears on the jersey’s left front tail. A Champion size “56” manufacturing tag appears on the jersey’s left front tail. “O’NEAL” appears in purple-on-white tackle twill across the back of the jersey. O’Neal signed and inscribed the number “34” on the number “3” on the back of the jersey with a black marker. The signature is bold and the jersey is in excellent condition. The pro-cut Los Angeles Lakers home jersey signed by legendary Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal comes with an LOA from JSA (BB38429).

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