NBA 2K6 gets Diesel-powered

2K Sports today announced that Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal will be the cover athlete and spokesperson for NBA 2K6. The game is currently being developed by Visual Concepts and will be released on the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Xbox 360 this fall.

O'Neal, considered by many experts to be the most dominant player in the NBA, was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic out of LSU in 1992. The outspoken pivotman has made a name for himself with his on- and off-court personality, dubbing himself "Shaq Diesel," "Superman," and "The Big Aristotle," taking roles in films such as Kazaam and Blue Chips, as well as embarking on a solo rap career and guest-appearing with The Fu-Schnickens.

At more than 7 feet tall and pushing the limits of the scale at more than 320 pounds, Shaq used his imposing figure to haul in the 2000 Most Valuable Player award and multiple NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. After a bitter departure from the Lakers, Shaq took his new Miami Heat squad to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, while the Lakers failed to make the playoffs.

Shaq Fu also helped in the development of the game, according to 2K Sports. O'Neal, a big gamer, worked with the design team to create new animations for the game's big men, including new head fakes, drop steps, and weak-side blocks.

For more information, go one-on-one with GameSpot's previous coverage, or check back later for coverage of today's 2K Sports press event.