Shaquille O'Neal, a three-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player and four-time champion, announced his retirement Wednesday from professional basketball in a video posted on Twitter.
"We did it, 19 years baby, thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first, I'm about to retire, love you, talk to you soon," said the 7ft 1in literal giant of the game, who is 39 years old.
Known by fans as "Shaq," O'Neal won three consecutive titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and then a fourth with the Miami Heat in 2004.
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He has played only intermittently in recent seasons, in 2009-10 for the Cleveland Cavaliers and 2010-11 for the Boston Celtics.
"I know you heard I just announced I'm retired so I need your help, help me come up with a new nickname," O'Neal said in a second video to his legion of fans posted on Twitter.
