Shaquille O’Neal’s new statue is incredible

LAKERS legend centre Shaquille O’Neal is to be honoured with a statue outside the team’s arena. And it’s amazing.

SHAQUILLE O’Neal won three straight championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, will go down as one of the franchise’s all-time greatest players — and next year he’ll be immortalised in statue form outside Staples Center.

Jimmy Kimmel broke the news to O’Neal on Wednesday night.

It was a total surprise, and seriously awesome.

Having one of the most successful organisations in professional sports history honour you with something that’s supposed to last forever is kind of a big deal.

The 43-year-old was clearly touched, as you can see in the video below.

Lakers part-owner and president Jeannie Buss issued a poignant statement in O’Neal’s honour earlier that night:

Jeanie Buss on Shaq's statue outside of Staples Center. pic.twitter.com/YAfe4E7mET

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 28, 2016

@SHAQ Excited about unveiling your statue next season! Thanks @jimmykimmel for sharing. #Lakers pic.twitter.com/sRbsnwwDW7

— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) January 28, 2016

The decision came less than three years after Los Angeles retired the 15-time All-Star’s number, too.

In eight seasons with the team, he averaged 27.0 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, and will go down as one of the most physically dominant forces the NBA has ever seen.

Shaq’s statue will go beside those that stand for former Laker greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Magic Johnson and Hall of Fame announcer Chick Hearn.

ICYMI: @SHAQ will be honored during the 2016-17 season with a statue at @STAPLESCenter - https://t.co/2Bvr7JkmYk pic.twitter.com/VhyIyeZ7uv

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 28, 2016

This is the artist’s impression. Awesome.

Originally published as Shaquille O’Neal’s new statue is incredible