A gigantic banner emblazoned with a purple and gold Superman logo hung in front of the LSU men’s basketball practice facility Thursday.

In front of the banner sat a massive object veiled in a billowing white cloak.

When Shaquille O’Neal, who dons the Superman logo on his left bicep, removed the cloak, the statue designed in his likeness nearly evoked tears from the former LSU basketball star.

“You almost caught me off guard,” O’Neal said at a press conference after the ceremony. “I almost cried when I saw how big it was, but I had to man up. This right here would probably be top two [days of my life]. I’ve won a lot of championships and got a lot of awards, but I don’t think anything will compare to this day.”

O’Neal was welcomed by applause from friends, family and former teammates as Tiger Band belted the fight song and Tigers fans roared. The cheerleaders unsuccessfully tried to make a tunnel for the 7-foot-1, 325-pound star.

O’Neal described the LSU community as a character-molding force.

“The great thing about Baton Rouge is the people are so friendly, the campus is so lively, the nightlife is great,” O’Neal said. “I have to say, besides my parents raising me, it’s really the people of Louisiana who’ve made me who I am today.”

O’Neal reiterated throughout the festivities how grateful he was for the sculpture.

“I’m honored,” he said. “I’m humbled. There’s been a lot of great athletes that came through this University, a lot that were greater than me. Pistol Pete [Maravich], Bob Pettit, Stanley Roberts, guys like that. I’m just honored that they chose me to make a statue of.”

O’Neal was joined at the podium by a plethora of former players, including Brandon Bass, Marcus Thornton and Stromile Swift. O’Neal said when people ask him why he returns to LSU to give back, he tells them he’s not returning — he’s coming home.

He also said he will attend Saturday’s football game against Northwestern State, and he’s favoring the Tigers to win, 45-0.

Other speakers included men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson, O’Neal’s mother Lucille O’Neal and Athletic Director Joe Alleva, who reinforced O’Neal’s local loyalty.

“Shaq is truly an icon. He’s our icon,” Alleva said.

During the press conference, O’Neal revealed he has been working the past four years toward earning his doctorate from the University. He said he is almost done with his dissertation, which is titled, “The Duality of Humor and Aggression in Leadership Styles.”

“Unfortunately I will no longer answer to Shaq, you’ll have to call me Dr. O’Neal,” O’Neal joked.

The night was an opportunity for O’Neal to reminisce — the good, the bad and the delicious.

“My favorite memory is coming out and hearing those horns and looking up and just seeing the whole city behind us,” O’Neal said. “Win or lose, behind us. The only thing I regret is not being able to give LSU a national championship. … That’s the only thing I regret because you guys have given me so much, especially those shrimp poboys.”