Retired fifteen-time National Basketball Association All-Star Shaquille O'Neal has been selected among the finalists for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, along with Allen Iverson.

China's basketball icon and former Houston Rockets famous center Yao Ming could accompany the two basketball legends in Springfield, Massachusetts this coming September. Although Yao was nominated by the Hall's International Committee, he was not subject to the step O'Neal and Iverson had to clear on Friday.

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Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, popularly known as 'Shaq', was drafted by the Eastern Conference team Orlando Magic with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft after his collegiate career at Louisiana State University.

O'Neal immediately became a dominant force being one of the biggest men playing the center position in the league. He eventually won the Rookie of the Year in 1993 and later on steered Orlando to an Eastern Conference championship and to the NBA Finals in 1995.

O'Neal, 43, has won four NBA championships - three with the Los Angeles Lakers (2001, 2002 and 2003) and one with the Miami Heat (2006). He has won the NBA Most Valuable Player for the regular season and the NBA Finals MVP in 2000, one of the three Finals MVP award under his belt.

O'Neal also played with the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and with Boston Celtics before announcing his retirement on June 1, 2011 after a 19-year career. His No. 34 jersey was retired by the Los Angeles Lakers on April 2, 2013.

According to ESPN, the entire class of Hall of Famers will be unveiled on April 4 in Houston prior to the NCAA championship game and enshrinement ceremonies set for Sept. 9.

TagsNBA, Shaquille O’Neal, Yao Ming, Hall of fame, allen iverson