Shaquille O'Neal formally announced his retirement on Friday, hosting a press conference at his home in Florida with former coaches, family and media members in attendance.
"After 19 years, I am announcing my retirement from professional basketball," O'Neal said. "I never thought this day would come. Father time has finally caught up with Shaquille O'Neal."
O'Neal played in 37 regular season games with the Boston Celtics this season, averaging 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds. O'Neal played in the NBA for 19 seasons, winning four NBA titles (three with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Miami Heat).
"Playing for Doc Rivers this year was really special," O'Neal said. ""Boston organization was very good to me. Beautiful organization - they still have a lot left. I went up there with one mission only, and I feel like I let that city down."
In 1,207 career games, O'Neal scored 28,596 points (fifth all-time) and collected 13,099 rebounds.