Shaquille O'Neal: The College Years

SI Staff | Mar 6, 2013

Shaquille O'Neal: The College Years

Shaquille O'Neal

John Biever/SI

Since entering the NBA in 1992, Shaquille O'Neal has become one of the world's most popular and beloved sports figures. SI looks back to the days when he was just another student at LSU.

Shaquille O'Neal

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O'Neal played three seasons at LSU and recorded career averages of 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

Shaquille O'Neal

Acey Harper//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

The Big Collegian takes notes while attending a lecture.

Shaquille O'Neal

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O'Neal soars in for a slam dunk during a 1991 game against Tennessee.

Shaquille O'Neal

Acey Harper//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

Shaq tries to fit his 7-2 body on an undersized dorm bed.

Shaquille O'Neal

Bruce L. Schwartzman/SI

O'Neal, who was a two-time All-American and SEC Player of the Year, appears on his first SI cover in Nov. 1990.

Shaquille O'Neal

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O'Neal kills time between classes in the courtyard.

Shaquille O'Neal

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Shaq shows off his signature power dunk during a 1991 game against Southeastern Louisiana.

Shaquille O'Neal

Acey Harper//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

O'Neal scratches some records in his dorm room.

Shaquille O'Neal

John W. McDonough/SI

O'Neal plays defense during a second-round game against Indiana in the 1992 Men's NCAA Basketball tournament. The Hoosiers would end Shaq's NCAA career with a 89-79 victory.

Shaquille O'Neal and Carlus Groves

AP

O'Neal wrestles with Tennessee's Carlus Groves during the second half of their 1992 SEC Tournament game in Birmingham. The wrestling escalated to a bench-clearing brawl that suspended play for 25 minutes.

Shaquille O'Neal

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Shaq dunks on Jamal Mashburn during a 1992 Kentucky-LSU game. O'Neal left LSU with a career 61 percent field goal percentage, second all time at LSU and in the SEC.

Shaquille O'Neal

John Biever/SI

O'Neal pulls down a rebound in traffic during a 1992 game against Kentucky. Shaq left LSU with 1,217 career rebounds, seventh all-time in the SEC, second all-time at LSU.

Jim Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning

AP

Jim Jackson , Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning pose for a photo before the 1992 NBA Draft. O'Neal would be taken first overall, leaving the comfort of LSU for Orlando.

Shaquille O'Neal Statue

AP

In Sept. 2011, LSU unveiled this 900-pound bronze statue of Shaquille O'Neal at the school's practice facility in Baton Rouge, La.