Former L.A. Laker Shaquille O’Neal. Photo courtesy of Facebook.

BOSTON, Mass.—Basketball great Shaquille O’Neal announced on Wednesday night that he would be retiring after a 19-year long run with the NBA. The former L.A. Lakers great ended all speculation and made the announcement himself.

“We did it. Nineteen years, baby. I wanna thank you very much, [Sic]” O’Neal said in a video addressed to his fans. “That’s why I’m telling you first -- I’m about to retire. Love ya. Talk to you soon.”

O’Neal’s career in basketball is legendary. He was an NBA champion a record four times, 15-time All Star and, in addition, was named the league’s MVP just a decade ago, after the 1999-2000 season. Though most famously a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, he began his career with the Orlando Magic in 1992 and also played for the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and most recently the Boston Celtics. He recently averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks for the Celtics.

Though he had another year on his contract with Boston, O’Neal has been plagued by injuries the past season and many sports observers speculated that he would soon retire from the game. O’Neal’s career was not only on the court, he has starred in movies, cut rap albums and became one of the first top NBA superstars to join social networking with accounts on Twitter and Facebook. He also has multi-million dollar endorsement contracts with many companies including those that sell footwear and sports apparel.

In 1996, O’Neal signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he often clashed with teammate Kobe Bryant. But their on-court and many times off-court friction did not get in the way of the Lakers receiving three consecutive NBA titles from 1999-2001, while the two played together. Their relationship never warmed over the years, but O’Neal was a mentor to another basketball great, LeBron James.

The larger-than-life personality promises to continue his mostly positive public persona and to spend more time with his family and helping charities, which involve at-risk teenagers.