Shaquille O'Neal Birthday: Highlights, Photos From Career Of Former NBA Star (VIDEO)

LOOK: Shaq Through The Years
BATON ROUGE, LA - 1992: Shaquille O'Neal #33 of the Louisiana State University Tigers eyes the ball carrier as he battles for position during a NCAA game against he University of Tennessee's Volunteers in 1992 at Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - 1992: Shaquille O'Neal #33 of the Louisiana State University Tigers eyes the ball carrier as he battles for position during a NCAA game against he University of Tennessee's Volunteers in 1992 at Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Getty Images)

After an inimitable NBA career in which he was nearly as prolific in the press room as in the paint, Shaquille O'Neal's quotations are collected at ShaqQuotes.com. Among the dozens of jokes, barbs and Shaqorisms, is one quote about aging that is particularly relevant as the four-time NBA champion celebrates his 41st birthday.

“I’m not a young jitterbug anymore. When I was a young jitterbug, I never won. I didn’t start winning until I got older. The older I get, the wiser I get. You just have to play it smart.”

Born on March 6th, 1972 in Newark, N.J., O'Neal grew up -- and grew up some more -- to become one of the most dominant players of any size in NBA history. Since retiring after the 2010-2011 season, O'Neal has played it smart and stayed in the spotlight, joining the Emmy Award-winning TNT crew behind "Inside The NBA."

In his own fashion, Shaq thanked everyone on Twitter for sending him birthday wishes.

From his days as a lean, mean post presence at LSU and his selection at the 1992 NBA Draft, through his NBA successes and TNT hijinks, here are more than 60 highlights and photos from one of the most unforgettable careers in NBA history.

Before You Go

Shaq And Olajuwon Tip-Off

Shaquille O'Neal Through The Years

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