Lakers to retire O'Neal, Wilkes jerseys

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Lakers announced plans to retire the jerseys of Shaquille O'Neal and Jamaal Wilkes this season.

O'Neal's No. 34 jersey is to be raised to the rafters of the Staples Center on April 2, 2013. Wilkes' jersey -- No. 52 -- is to be retired Dec. 28.

O'Neal played eight seasons of his 19-season NBA career with the Lakers. The team won three consecutive NBA titles, starting in 2000, while he was in the lineup.

Wilkes played for the Lakers from 1977-84. Los Angeles won four NBA championships in that span.

The Lakers also said they plan to unveil a statue of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar outside the Staples Center. Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA's all-time leading scorer. He led the Lakers to five championships.

His will be the sixth statue outside the Staples Center. Former Lakers Jerry West and Magic Johnson along with hockey's Wayne Gretzky, boxer Oscar de La Hoya and broadcaster Chick Hearn also have statues at the arena.