The Los Angeles Lakers will officially unveil the enormous Shaquille O'Neal statue prior to their Friday matchup against the Wolves, and today we've received our first look at this larger than life hunk of bronze.
Per the press release:
"The statue, created by renowned sculptors/artists Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany, will join other iconic sculptures of celebrated sports superstars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wayne Gretzky, Chick Hearn, Oscar De La Hoya, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Jerry West. Abdul-Jabbar’s statue (dedicated November 16, 2012), Johnson’s statue (dedicated February 11, 2004), Hearn’s statue (dedicated April 20, 2010), and West’s statue (dedicated February 17, 2011) were also created by Julie Rotblatt Amrany and Omri Amrany."
The 1,200 pound, nine-foot bronze statue depicting a dunking Shaq will be located at the Star Plaza at Staples, hanging 10 feet above the ground, making it one of the best statues in the history of statues.
The unveiling ceremony will be open to the public starting at 5pm, highlighted by speeches from Shaq, his teammates, colleagues and friends.