1991 Shaquille O'Neal Game Worn & Signed LSU Tigers Uniform - Photo Matched!...

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Shaq's College Player of the Year season!

1991 Shaquille O'Neal Game Worn & Signed LSU Tigers Uniform - Photo Matched! Every ranking of the greatest centers in basketball history tends to find the same five men in various arrangements at the top--Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Hakeem Olajuwon and this man. But nobody would deny that Shaq was the most physically imposing of that elite quintet, an irresistible force of nature that bulldozed his way to four NBA Championships and fifteen All-Star appearances. His dominance at Louisiana State University made him the first overall selection of the 1992 NBA Draft, and he'd prove just as unstoppable in the professional game, claiming the 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

We've never encountered a collegiate uniform from this charismatic giant until this spectacular ensemble arrived at our Dallas world headquarters, and we must admit that we remained skeptical of its "too good to be true" authenticity until the experts at Sports Investors Authentication found undeniable proof in the form of a photo match to a January 8, 1991 meeting with the Georgia Bulldogs at Maravich Assembly Center. Both the jersey and the shorts appear in that imagery.

O'Neal was dominant, as usual, in that 83-76 victory, leading both teams with thirty-eight points, going 14-for-17 from the field and a surprisingly strong 10-for-13 from the free throw line. He'd pull down nearly as many rebounds (17) in the game as the rest of his team combined.

SIA likewise notes apparent matches to 3/14/91 vs. Connecticut, a 10/7/91 photo shoot and an undated game against an unidentified opponent.

The jersey features a purple and white screened "LSU 33" across the sizable chest, with an American flag at upper left in a show of solidarity with the soldiers of Desert Storm. "O'Neal" is screened directly to the shoulders (no plate) in purple, while the number "33" is repeated in the same format as front just below. Lower left front tail is tagged, "Russell Athletic [size] 48" with "100% Nylon" and "4" Extra Body Length" secondary tagging affixed at lower edge. Two strips of female velcro are sewn at the waist of the jersey. A black sharpie signature (7/10) is applied at center of rear numeral.

The male strips of velcro appear at interior waistband of accompanying shorts, which have a drawstring at front and a thicket of tagging at verso, reading as follows: "Russell Athletic [size] 44 (with handwritten "33" in marker), 1" Extra Seat Width, 1" Extra Leg Opening, 2" Extra Length Inseam, 1/2" Extra Rise Front and Back." Team logo designs appear at each hip, and there is some pilling to the fabric that has resulted from the fabric rubbing against the velcro.

The garments exhibit the kind of sweaty game wear one would expect for a specimen of Shaq's size and power. An absolutely thrilling rarity from the ascension of an all-time great. Photo match LOA from Sports Investors Authentication. LOA from Heritage Auctions. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from Beckett Authentication Services.