The Orlando Magic are a professional basketball team that plays in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They joined the league as an expansion team in 1989. Over the course of their history, the Magic have retired 4 jersey numbers in honor of some of their greatest players.
When a team retires a player’s jersey number, it means that no other player on that team can ever wear that number again. The number is retired as a way to pay tribute to that player’s legacy and career achievements with the team. It is the highest honor an NBA team can bestow upon a player.
Having a jersey number retired is an extraordinary recognition of a player’s greatness and importance to the franchise. It cements their place in team history. Only the most iconic and beloved players who made immense contributions on and off the court will have their numbers retired.
The Orlando Magic have retired 4 numbers since they joined the NBA in 1989. Some of the greatest players in the franchise’s history have been immortalized by having their jersey numbers lifted to the rafters of the Amway Center, including:
- #6 – Sixth man award winner Nick Anderson
- #32 – All Star player Shaquille O’Neal
- #1 – Franchise scoring leader Penny Hardaway
- #5 – Defensive anchor Dwight Howard
Let’s take a closer look at each of these Magic legends and why their numbers were retired by the franchise:
#6 – Nick Anderson
Nick Anderson was one of the original Orlando Magic players, having been drafted in 1989 by the expansion franchise. He played 10 seasons with the team, averaging 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
Anderson was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 1993 and helped lead the young Magic franchise to the NBA Finals in 1995. His number 6 jersey was retired by the Magic on Opening Night of the 1998-99 season.
“Nick was our first star,” said Magic co-founder Jimmy Hewitt. “He was there at the very beginning and his contributions on the court and in the community are impossible to measure.”
#32 – Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal began his legendary career with the Orlando Magic, playing for them from 1992 to 1996. He averaged 27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game during his Magic years.
O’Neal was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1993 and led Orlando to the Finals in 1995. He was a 4-time All Star with the Magic before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent in 1996.
On March 6, 2019, the Magic retired Shaq’s #32 jersey to honor his dominance during the Magic’s early years. He is considered one of the greatest and most iconic players in franchise history.
#1 – Penny Hardaway
Penny Hardaway joined Shaquille O’Neal as part of Orlando’s powerful 1-2 punch in the 1990s. Hardaway played 6 seasons with the Magic, making 4 All Star appearances while averaging 19 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals per game.
Penny and Shaq led the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995 and formed one of the most dynamic duos in league history. Hardaway’s Magic jersey #1 was retired on February 9, 2007 as a tribute to his immense skill and exciting style of play.
#5 – Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard spent the first 8 years of his NBA career starring for the Orlando Magic as their franchise centerpiece. He averaged 18.4 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game during his Magic tenure.
Howard won 3 straight Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2009-2011 and led the Magic to the 2009 Finals. He is the Magic’s all-time leader in rebounds and blocks. His #5 jersey was retired on March 31, 2022 as testament to his profound impact in Orlando.
The Magic’s Retired Numbers
Here is a summary of the Orlando Magic’s retired numbers:
Player | Number | Seasons with Magic | Accomplishments |
---|---|---|---|
Nick Anderson | #6 | 1989-1999 | All-time games leader, 1993 Sixth Man of the Year |
Shaquille O’Neal | #32 | 1992-1996 | Led Magic to 1995 Finals, 4-time All Star |
Penny Hardaway | #1 | 1993-1999 | 4-time All Star, Half of famous Orlando duo with Shaq |
Dwight Howard | #5 | 2004-2012 | Led Magic to 2009 Finals, 3-time Defensive Player of Year |
Criteria for Number Retirement
Based on the players who have had their numbers retired, there are some clear criteria that the Magic look for when determining jersey retirement honors:
- Sustained excellence and statistical dominance over several seasons with the Magic
- Perennial All Star selections
- Major NBA accolades and awards like MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, etc.
- Leading the team on deep playoff runs, ideally to the NBA Finals
- Holding prominent spots in the Magic’s all-time statistical records
- Embodying the Magic culture and values on and off the court
- Having a major impact on the Magic franchise and the city of Orlando
A player certainly does not need to hit every single criteria, but exhibiting many of these traits help make a strong case for jersey retirement. The player needs to cement himself as an all-time Magic great who defined an era of the team’s history. Retired numbers are meant for the cream of the crop legends and icons who brought lasting glory and memories to the franchise.
Who Could Be Next?
Based on the standards the Magic have set, a few possibilities stand out among current and more recent players who could potentially have their numbers retired someday:
Tracy McGrady – #1
Tracy McGrady succeeded Penny Hardaway as the Magic’s next superstar, playing for Orlando from 2000 to 2004. He averaged 28.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists during his Magic tenure and was a 2-time scoring champion. If he had remained in Orlando longer, he would be a strong candidate for having his #1 jersey retired.
Grant Hill – #33
Grant Hill signed with Orlando in 2000 and while injuries unfortunately plagued his time with the Magic, he still put up tremendous numbers when healthy. He averaged 16.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game as a Magic player and was close to being a perennial All Star in Orlando. His popularity and status as one of the Magic’s first big free agent signings make him a possibility.
Dwight Howard – #12
It’s rare, but not unprecedented for a player to have his number retired twice by the same team. Wilt Chamberlain’s #13 was retired by both the Warriors and Lakers. If Dwight Howard, already honored for his #5, has another stint in Orlando and further cements his legacy, he could potentially see his new #12 also lifted to the rafters.
Other Candidates
Some other names that could gain consideration in the future if they remain in Orlando long term and hit some benchmark accomplishments are Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, Victor Oladipo and Jonathan Isaac.
It will be interesting to see if any current or future Magic stars can play at the level required to receive the prestigious honor of a retired number. The selected players form an exclusive brotherhood of Magic legends.
Conclusion
The Orlando Magic have honored 4 deserving players by retiring their jersey numbers – Nick Anderson, Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway and Dwight Howard. These Magic greats all had incredible impacts on the history of the franchise. Their retired numbers are a permanent symbol of their remarkable careers in Orlando and importance to the organization.
Any future players who have their numbers retired will have to meet strict criteria that puts them among the upper echelon of Magic legends. It is the highest tribute the franchise can give to those select players whose skills, achievements and legacy will forever stand the test of time. Those honored players’ numbers will live on in the rafters of the Amway Center forever.