Culver City Observer -

The unveiling of a bronze statue of legendary Laker and NBA Hall of Fame player Shaquille O'Neal is coming to Star Plaza at Staples Center on March 24 at 5 pm.

As a tribute to the larger-than-life Laker great, whose career with the organization produced three NBA Championships, the Lakers, Staples Center, and AEG organizations commissioned the creation of a 1,200 pound, nine-foot bronze statue of him.

O'Neal's statue will be connected to Staples Center, suspended 10 feet above the ground.

O'Neal was a member of the Lakers from 1996-2004, leading the team to three consecutive NBA Championships from 2000-2002, winning the NBA Finals MVP award each time. O'Neal was also named the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2000.

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 ceremony is open free to the public and will be highlighted by speeches from O'Neal, his teammates, colleagues and friends from his career, and will conclude with a spectacular unveiling of the statue.