Shaquille O’Neal was just 20 when the Orlando Magic drafted him in 1992. Pretty early in his career, Shaq got the recognition and the fame. He was one of the most promising players in his high school and college playing days. He played for the LSU Tigers and turned a lot of heads with his dominating performances.

The Magic drafted him as their first pick and rightly so. He was a young sensation with his height and build there weren’t many players who could stand a chance in front of Shaq. However, he had his first taste of ultimate success in 2000. Shaq won his first NBA championship with the Laker in 2000 which was actually the 1st of the three-peat. 2000 NBA finals saw the real influence of Shaq as he tore apart the Pacers.

Shaquille O’Neal had multiple 40-point games in the series. He tremendously averaged 38 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in the whole series.

WATCH THIS STORY: Shaq vs Magic – a comparison in their net worth.

Not only in the finals, but Shaq was also the best player in the whole league as he won the MVP as well that season. Shaq was on the peak of stardom and fame but it was not his first experience of all that.

Shaquille O’Neal talks about stardom and fame

Although he got the ultimate success in the year 2000, Shaq learned an important lesson about fame pretty early in fact even before he was drafted into the NBA.

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“When I first got to LA, I figured out how superstar was supposed to live like. When I first got to LA they had a club called Roxy. So when I get to LA I’m 18. I’m Shaq but Shaq don’t hold no weight in that life. So I’m standing in the front. Eddie Murphy coming to all with mother******* leather sh**. He had the mother******* gloves and the Ferrari,” said Shaq.

He added, “He pulled up and they paparazzi taking pictures and then Rob Lowe and the magic. And I’m saying damn that’s gonna be me one day. So you know just by seeing that I got to get to that. Then I would talk to people like man, how do I get to that? You got to win. Win what? You got to win man, you got to win you got to be making I said well they know me.” Shaq said of his experience of seeing Eddie Murphy and his fame.

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Shaq also shared how after winning his first title everyone was congratulating him and celebrated. However, his father just saw the trophy that he brought home and gave him a nod of approval with even a smile. “He turned, ‘you know what you got to do right?’ and I’ll be like, yes, sir. — [Shaq’s father said] Shoulda had 50. That’s why I went so hard when I got those three in a row.”

The Big Shamrock was one of the hardest competitors on the court. He ended up with four NBA titles and various other accolades. Do you think he is the best center to ever grace the league? Let us know in the comments!