Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (/ʃəˈkiːl/shə-KEEL; born March 6, 1972), commonly known asShaq (/ʃæk/SHAK), is an American former professionalbasketball player andsports analyst on the television programInside the NBA. He is a 7-foot-1-inch (2.16 m) and 325-pound (147 kg)center who played for six teams over his 19-year career in theNational Basketball Association (NBA) and is a four-timeNBA champion. O'Neal is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players and centers of all time.
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal was born on March 6, 1972, inNewark, New Jersey,[14] to Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney, who played high school basketball (he was an All-State guard) and was offered a basketballscholarship to play atSeton Hall. Toney struggled withdrug addiction and was imprisoned for drug possession when O'Neal was an infant. Upon his release, he did not resume a place in O'Neal's life and instead agreed to relinquish his parental rights to O'Neal'sJamaican stepfather, Phillip Arthur Harrison, a careerArmy sergeant.[15][16] O'Neal remained estranged from his biological father for decades; O'Neal had not spoken with Toney or expressed an interest in establishing a relationship.[16] On his 1994rap album,Shaq Fu: The Return, O'Neal voiced his feelings of disdain for Toney in the song "Biological Didn't Bother", dismissing him with the line "Phil is my father". However, O'Neal's feelings toward Toney mellowed in the years following Harrison's death in 2013, and the two met for the first time in March 2016, with O'Neal telling him, "I don't hate you. I had a good life. I had Phil."[17]
O'Neal came from a tall family. His father and mother were 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) tall, respectively, and by age 13, O'Neal was already 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) tall.[18] He credited theBoys & Girls Clubs of America inNewark with giving him a safe place to play and keeping him off the streets. "It gave me something to do," he said. "I'd just go there to shoot. I didn't even play on a team."[19] Because of his stepfather's career in the military, the family left Newark, moving to military bases inGermany andTexas.[20]
After returning from Germany, O'Neal's family settled inSan Antonio, Texas. By age 16, O'Neal had grown to 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m),[18] and he began playing basketball atRobert G. Cole High School. He led his team to a 68–1 record over two years and helped the team win the state championship during his senior year.[21] His 791 rebounds during the 1989 season remains a state record for a player in any classification.[22] Cole High retired O'Neal'sNo. 33 in 2014.[23] According to O'Neal, he wanted to wear 33 because he had made asky hook and received comparisons toKareem Abdul-Jabbar, who wore 33.[24] In 2021, O'Neal said his admiration forPatrick Ewing inspired him to wear the number 33.[25]
O'Neal was named the Player of the Week in his first week in the NBA, the first player to do so.[35] During hisrookie season, O'Neal averaged 23.4 points on 56.2% shooting, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5blocks per game for the season.[36] He was named the 1993NBA Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to be voted an All-Star starter sinceMichael Jordan in 1985.[37] The Magic finished 41–41, winning 20 more games than the previous season, but missed the playoffs by virtue of a tie-breaker with theIndiana Pacers.[38] On more than one occasion during the year,Sports Illustrated writerJack McCallum overheard O'Neal saying, "We've got to get [head coach]Matty [Guokas] out of here and bring in [assistant]Brian [Hill]."[39]
First playoff appearance (1993–1994)
In 1993–1994, O'Neal'ssecond season, Hill was the coach and Guokas was reassigned to the front office.[40] O'Neal improved his scoring average to 29.4 points (second in the league toDavid Robinson) while leading the NBA in field goal percentage at 60%.[36] On November 20, 1993, against theNew Jersey Nets, O'Neal registered the firsttriple-double of his career, recording 24 points to go along with career highs of 28 rebounds and 15 blocks.[41] He was voted into theAll-Star game and also made theAll-NBA 3rd Team. Teamed with newly draftedAnfernee "Penny" Hardaway, the Magic finished with a record of 50–32 and madethe playoffs for the first time in franchise history.[42][unreliable NBA source] In his first playoff series, O'Neal averaged 20.7 points and 13.3 rebounds[36] as the Pacers swept the Magic.[43]
First scoring title and NBA Finals (1994–1996)
In O'Neal's third season,1994–95, heled the NBA in scoring with a 29.3 point average, while finishing second in MVP voting to David Robinson and entering his third straight All-Star Game along with Hardaway. They formed one of the league's top duos and helped Orlando to a 57–25 record and theAtlantic Division crown. The Magic won their first-ever playoff series against theBoston Celtics in the1995 NBA playoffs. They then defeated theChicago Bulls in the conference semifinals. After beatingReggie Miller's Indiana Pacers, the Magic reached theNBA Finals, facing the defending NBA championHouston Rockets. O'Neal played well in his first Finals appearance, averaging 28 points on 59.5% shooting, 12.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. Despite this, the Rockets, led by future Hall-of-FamersHakeem Olajuwon andClyde Drexler, swept the series in four games.[44]
O'Neal was injured for a great deal of the1995–96 season, missing 28 games. He averaged 26.6 points and 11 rebounds per game, made the All-NBA 3rd Team, and played in his 4th All-Star Game. Despite O'Neal's injuries, the Magic finished with a regular season record of 60–22, second in the Eastern conference to the Chicago Bulls, who finished with anNBA record 72 wins. Orlando easily defeated theDetroit Pistons and theAtlanta Hawks in the first two rounds of the1996 NBA Playoffs; however, they were no match for Jordan's Bulls, who swept them in the Eastern Conference finals.
O'Neal became afree agent after the 1995–96 NBA season. In the summer of 1996, O'Neal was named to theUnited States Olympic basketball team, and was later part of the gold medal-winning team at the1996 Olympics inAtlanta. While the Olympic basketball team was training in Orlando, theOrlando Sentinel published a poll that asked whether the Magic should fire Hill if that were one of O'Neal's conditions for returning.[45][46] 82% answered "no".[45] O'Neal had a power struggle while playing under Hill.[47][48] He said the team "just didn't respect [Hill]".[49] Another question in the poll asked whether O'Neal was worth $115 million, in reference to the amount of the Magic's offer; 91.3% of the response said it was not.[46][47] O'Neal'sOlympic teammates teased him over the poll.[46][48] He was also upset that the Orlando media implied O'Neal was not a good role model for having a child with his longtime girlfriend with no immediate plans to marry.[45] O'Neal compared his lack of privacy in Orlando to "feeling like a big fish in a dried-up pond".[50] He also learned that Hardaway considered himself the leader of the Magic and did not want O'Neal making more money than him.[51]
On the team's first full day at the Olympics in Atlanta, the media announced that O'Neal would join theLos Angeles Lakers on a seven-year, $121 million contract.[52][53] O'Neal insisted he did not choose Los Angeles for the money; discussing the signing he referred to a couple of his product endorsements, saying: "I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drinkPepsi, wearReebok."[54][55] O'Neal switched his jersey to No. 34 on the Lakers, as the No. 32 jersey he had worn in Orlando was retired in honor ofMagic Johnson, and the No. 33 jersey he had worn at LSU was retired in honor ofKareem Abdul-Jabbar. The No. 34 jersey was also in honor of his stepfather, who wore that number in theArmy.[56] The Lakers won 56 games during the1996–97 season.[57] O'Neal averaged 26.2 points and 12.5 rebounds in his first season with Los Angeles; however, he again missed over 30 games due to injury.[58] The Lakers made the playoffs, but were eliminated in the second round by theUtah Jazz in five games.[59] In his first playoff game for the Lakers, O'Neal scored 46 points against thePortland Trail Blazers,[60] the most for the Lakers in a playoff game sinceJerry West had 53 in1969. On December 17, 1996, O'Neal shovedDennis Rodman of theChicago Bulls; Rodman's teammatesScottie Pippen andMichael Jordan restrained Rodman and prevented further conflict.[61] TheLos Angeles Daily News reported that O'Neal was willing to be suspended for fighting Rodman, and O'Neal said: "It's one thing to talk tough and one thing to be tough."[62]
Thefollowing season, O'Neal averaged 28.3 points and 11.4 rebounds. He led the league with a 58.4 field goal percentage, the first of four consecutive seasons in which he did so.[63] The Lakers finished the season 61–21, first in thePacific Division,[64] and were the second seed in the western conference during the1998 NBA Playoffs. After defeating thePortland Trail Blazers andSeattle SuperSonics in the first two rounds, the Lakers again fell to theJazz, this time in a 4–0 sweep.[65]
With the tandem of O'Neal and teenage superstarKobe Bryant, expectations for the Lakers increased; however, personnel changes were a source of instability during the1998–99 season. Long-time Laker point guardNick Van Exel was traded to theDenver Nuggets;[66] his former backcourt partnerEddie Jones was packaged with back-up centerElden Campbell forGlen Rice to satisfy a demand by O'Neal for a shooter.[67] CoachDel Harris was fired,[68] and former Lakers forwardKurt Rambis finished the season as head coach.[69] The Lakers finished with a 31–19 record during thelockout-shortened season. Although they madethe playoffs, they were swept by theSan Antonio Spurs, led byTim Duncan andDavid Robinson in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.[70] The Spurs would go on to win their first NBA title in 1999.
Before the 1999–2000 season, theLos Angeles Lakers hiredPhil Jackson as head coach, and the team's fortunes soon changed. Jackson challenged O'Neal, telling him "the [NBA's] MVP trophy should be named after him when he retired."[71]
In a November 10, 1999, game against theHouston Rockets, O'Neal andCharles Barkley were ejected. After O'Neal blocked a layup by Barkley, O'Neal shoved Barkley, who then threw the ball at O'Neal.[72] On March 6, 2000, O'Neal's 28th birthday, he scored a career-high 61 points to go along with 23 rebounds and 3 assists in a 123–103 win over theLos Angeles Clippers.[73] O'Neal's 61-point game was the last game in NBA history that a playerscored 60 or more points without hitting a 3-pointer untilGiannis Antetokounmpo scored 64 points against the Indiana Pacers on December 13, 2023.[74]
O'Neal was also voted the1999–2000 regular seasonMost Valuable Player, one vote short of becoming the first unanimous MVP in NBA history.Fred Hickman, then ofCNN, instead choseAllen Iverson, then of thePhiladelphia 76ers, who went on to win MVP the next season. O'Neal also won the scoring title while finishing second in rebounds and third in blocked shots. Jackson's influence resulted in a newfound commitment by O'Neal to defense, resulting in his firstAll-Defensive Team selection (second-team) in 2000.[75]
In the2001 NBA Finals against the 76ers, O'Neal fouled out in Game 3 backing overDikembe Mutombo, the 2000–2001Defensive Player of the Year. "I didn't think the best defensive player in the game would beflopping like that. It's a shame that the referees buy into that", O'Neal said. "I wish he'd stand up and play me like a man instead of flopping and crying every time I back him down.[76]
A month before the2001–02 season's training camp, O'Neal had corrective surgery for a claw toe deformity in the smallest toe of his left foot.[77] He opted against a more involved surgery to return quicker.[78] He was ready for the start of the 2001–02 regular season, but the toe frequently bothered him.[77]
In January 2002, he was involved in a spectacular on-court brawl in a game against the Chicago Bulls. He punched centerBrad Miller after an intentional foul to prevent a basket, resulting in a melee with Miller, forwardCharles Oakley, and several other players.[79] O'Neal was suspended for three games without pay and fined $15,000.[80] For the season, O'Neal averaged 27.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, excellent statistics but below his career average; he was less of a defensive force during the season.[77]
Matched up against theSacramento Kings in the2002 Western Conference finals, O'Neal said, "There is only one way to beat us. It starts with c and ends with t." O'Neal meant "cheat", alluding to the alleged flopping of Kings centerVlade Divac. O'Neal referred to Divac as "she" and said he would never exaggerate contact to draw a foul. "I'm a guy with no talent who has gotten this way with hard work."[81] After the 2001–2002 season, O'Neal told friends that he did not want another season of limping and being in virtually constant pain from his big right toe.[82] His trademark mobility and explosion had been often absent. The corrective options ranged fromreconstructive surgery on the toe to rehabilitation exercises with more shoe inserts andanti-inflammation medication. O'Neal was wary of the long-term damage his frequent consumption of these medications might have. He did not want to rush a decision with his career at risk.[77]
Using Jackson'striangle offense, O'Neal and Bryant enjoyed tremendous success, leading the Lakers to three consecutive titles (2000, 2001, and 2002).[83] O'Neal was namedMVP of the NBA Finals all three times[84] and had the highest scoring average for a center in NBA Finals history.[85]
Toe surgery to departure (2002–2004)
O'Neal missed the first 12 games of the2002–03 season recovering from toesurgery.[86] He was sidelined withhallux rigidus, a degenerative arthritis in his toe.[87] He waited the whole summer until just before training camp for the surgery and explained, "I got hurt on company time, so I'll heal on company time."[88] O'Neal debated whether to have a more invasive surgery that would have kept him out an additional three months, but he opted against the procedure.[87] The Lakers started the season with a record of 11–19.[89] At the end of the season, the Lakers had fallen to the fifth seed and failed to reach the Finals in 2003.[89]
For the2003–04 season, the team made a concerted off-season effort to improve its roster. They sought the free-agent services of two aging stars—forwardKarl Malone and guardGary Payton—but due tosalary cap restrictions, could not offer either player nearly as much money as he could have made with some other teams. O'Neal assisted in the recruitment efforts and personally persuaded both men to join the squad, each forgoing larger salaries in favor of a chance to win an NBA championship.[90] At the beginning of the2003–04 season, O'Neal wanted a contract extension with a pay raise on his remaining three years for $30 million. The Lakers had hoped O'Neal would take less money due to his age, physical conditioning, and games missed due to injuries. During a preseason game, O'Neal had yelled at Lakers ownerJerry Buss, "Pay me."[91] There had been increasingtension between O'Neal and Bryant. The feud climaxed during training camp before the 2003–2004 season when Bryant, in an interview with ESPN journalistJim Gray, criticized O'Neal for being out of shape, a poor leader, and putting his salary demands over the interests of the team.[92]
The Lakers made the playoffs in 2004 and lost to theDetroit Pistons in the2004 NBA Finals. Lakers assistant coachTex Winter said, "Shaq defeated himself against Detroit. He played way too passively. He had one big game ... He's always interested in being a scorer, but he hasn't had nearly enough concentration on defense and rebounding".[93] After the series, O'Neal was angered by comments made by Lakers general managerMitch Kupchak about O'Neal's future with the club[94] and by the departure of Lakers coachPhil Jackson at the request of Buss.[95] O'Neal indicated that he felt the team's decisions were centered on a desire to appease Bryant, and O'Neal promptly demanded a trade.[96] Kupchak wanted theDallas Mavericks'Dirk Nowitzki in return but Mavericks ownerMark Cuban refused to let his 7-footer go. After Miami showed interest in O'Neal, the two clubs agreed on a trade.[97] Winter said, O'Neal "left because he couldn't get what he wanted—a huge pay raise. There was no way ownership could give him what he wanted. Shaq's demands held the franchise hostage, and the way he went about it didn't please the owner too much."[98]
On July 14, 2004, O'Neal was traded to theMiami Heat forCaron Butler,Lamar Odom,Brian Grant, and a future first-rounddraft choice (the Lakers used the draft choice to selectJordan Farmar in the2006 draft). O'Neal reverted from his Lakers jersey number 34 to number 32, which he had worn while playing for the Magic.[99] Upon signing with the Heat, O'Neal promised the fans that he would bring a championship to Miami. He claimed one of the main reasons for wanting to be traded to Miami was because of their up-and-coming starDwyane Wade, to whom he gave the nickname "Flash". With O'Neal on board, the new-look Heat surpassed expectations, claiming the best record in the Eastern Conference in 2004–05 with 59 wins. He played in 73 games, his most since 2001 season, averaged 22.9 points a game along with 10.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. O'Neal made his 12th consecutive All-Star Team, made the All-NBA 1st Team, and won the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for his performance in March. O'Neal also narrowly lost the2004–05MVP Award toPhoenix Suns guardSteve Nash in one of the closest votes in NBA history.[100]
Despite being hobbled by a deep thigh bruise, O'Neal led the Heat to theEastern Conference finals and a game 7 against the defending championDetroit Pistons, losing by a narrow margin. Afterwards, O'Neal and others criticized Heat head coachStan Van Gundy for not calling enough plays for O'Neal.[101] In August 2005, O'Neal signed a 5-year-extension with the Heat for $100 million. Supporters applauded O'Neal's willingness to take what amounted to a pay cut and the Heat's decision to secure O'Neal's services for the long term. They contended that O'Neal was worth more than $20 million per year, particularly given that lesser players earned almost the same amount.[102]
Fourth championship (2005–2006)
O'Neal holding the championship ball when the NBA championMiami Heat team visited theWhite House in February 2007
In the second game of the2005–06 season, O'Neal injured his right ankle and missed the next 18 games. Upon O'Neal's return, Van Gundy resigned, citing family reasons, andPat Riley assumed head coach responsibilities.[88] O'Neal later referred to Van Gundy as a "frontrunner" and a "master of panic".[103] Many critics stated that Heat coach Riley correctly managed O'Neal during the rest of the season, limiting his minutes to a career low. Riley felt doing so would allow O'Neal to be healthier and fresher come playoff time. Although O'Neal averaged career lows (or near-lows) in points, rebounds, and blocks, he said in an interview, "Stats don't matter. I care about winning, not stats. If I score zero points and we win I'm happy. If I score 50, 60 points, break the records, and we lose, I'm pissed off. 'Cause I knew I did something wrong. I'll have a hell of a season if I win the championship and average 20 points a game."[104] During the 2005–06 season, the Heat recorded only a .500 record without O'Neal in the line-up.[105]
On April 11, 2006, O'Neal recorded his second careertriple-double against theToronto Raptors with 15 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists.[106] O'Neal finished the 2005–06 season as the league leader in field goal percentage.[106]In the2006 NBA Playoffs, the Heat first faced the youngerChicago Bulls, and O'Neal delivered a dominating 27 point, 16 rebound and 5 blocks performance in game 1 followed by a 22-point effort in game 2 to help Miami take a 2–0 lead in the series. Chicago would respond with two dominating performances at home to tie the series, but Miami would respond right back with a victory at home in game 5. Miami returned to Chicago and closed out the series in the 6th game, highlighted by another dominating performance by O'Neal who finished with 30 points and 20 rebounds. Miami advanced to face New Jersey, who won a surprising game 1 victory before the Heat won four straight to assure a rematch with Detroit. The Pistons had no answer for Wade throughout the series, while O'Neal delivered 21 points and 12 rebounds in game 3 followed by 27 points and 12 boards in game 4 to help Miami take a 3–1 series lead. The Pistons would win game 5 in Detroit, and Wade would once again get injured, but the Heat held on to win game 6 with O'Neal scoring 28 points with 16 rebounds and 5 blocks to help Miami reach their first-ever NBA Finals.[107]
In the Finals, the Heat were underdogs against theDallas Mavericks led byDirk Nowitzki, and the Mavericks won the first two games at home in dominating fashion. The Heat, led by Wade and a balanced effort by O'Neal,Antoine Walker, andJason Williams, won the next three games at home, then won Game 6 in Dallas to deliver the first NBA title for the franchise and O'Neal's fourth title. With Wade carrying the offensive load, O'Neal did not need to have a dominating series; he averaged 13.7 points and 10.2 rebounds.[107]
Surgery and Wade's injury (2006–2007)
In the2006–07 season, O'Neal missed 35 games after an injury to his left knee in November required surgery.[108][109] After one of those missed games, a Christmas Day match-up against the Lakers, he ripped Jackson, who O'Neal had once called a second father, referring to his former coach as "Benedict Arnold". Jackson had previously said, "The only person I've ever [coached] that hasn't been a worker... is probably Shaq."[110] The Heat struggled during O'Neal's absence,[111] but with his return won seven of their next eight games. Bad luck still haunted the squad, however, as Wade dislocated his left shoulder, leaving O'Neal as the focus of the team.[111] Critics doubted that O'Neal, now in his mid-30s, could carry the team into the playoffs.[112] The Heat went on a winning streak that kept them in the race for a playoff spot, which they finally secured against theCleveland Cavaliers on April 5.[111]
In a rematch of the previous year, the Heat faced the Bulls in the first round of the 2006–07 NBA playoffs. The Heat struggled against the Bulls and although O'Neal put up reasonable numbers, he was not able to dominate the series. The Bulls swept the Heat, the first time in 50 years a defending NBA champion was swept in the opening round.[113] It was the first time in 13 years that O'Neal did not advance into the second round. In the 2006–07 season O'Neal reached 25,000 career points, becoming the 14th player in NBA history to accomplish that milestone. However, it was the first season in O'Neal's career that his scoring average dropped below 20 points per game.[5]
Career lows and disagreements (2007–2008)
O'Neal experienced a rough start for the 2007–08 season, averaging career lows in points, rebounds, and blocks. His role in the offense diminished, as he attempted only 10 field goals per game, versus his career average of 17. In addition, O'Neal was plagued by fouls, and during one stretch fouled out of five consecutive games. O'Neal's streak of 14 straightAll-Star appearances ended that season.[5] O'Neal again missed games due to injuries, and the Heat had a 15–game losing streak.[114] According to O'Neal, Riley thought he was faking the injury.[115] During a practice in February 2008, O'Neal got into an altercation with Riley over the coach ordering a tardyJason Williams to leave practice. The two argued face-to-face, with O'Neal poking Riley in the chest and Riley slapping his finger away. Riley soon after decided to trade O'Neal.[116] O'Neal said his relationship with Wade was not "all that good" by the time he left Miami, but he did not express disappointment at Wade for failing to stand up for him.[117]
O'Neal played 33 games for the Miami Heat in the 2007–08 season prior to being traded to the Phoenix Suns. O'Neal started all 33 games and averaged 14.2 points per game. Following the trade to Phoenix, O'Neal averaged 12.9 points while starting all 28 games with the Suns.
ThePhoenix Suns acquired O'Neal in February 2008 from the league-worstMiami Heat, who had a record at the time of the trade of 9–37, in exchange forShawn Marion andMarcus Banks.[118] O'Neal made his Suns debut on February 20, 2008, against his former Lakers team, scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in the process. The Lakers won, 130–124. O'Neal was upbeat in a post-game press conference, stating: "I will take the blame for this loss because I wasn't in tune with the guys [...] But give me four or five days to really get in tune and I'll get it."[119]
In 28 regular season games, O'Neal averaged 12.9 points and 10.6 rebounds,[120] good enough to make theplayoffs. One of the reasons for the trade was to limitTim Duncan in the event of a postseason matchup between the Suns and theSan Antonio Spurs, especially after the Suns' six-game elimination by the Spurs in the2007 NBA Playoffs.[121] O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns did face the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, but they were once again eliminated, in five games. O'Neal averaged 15.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.[120]
O'Neal preferred his new situation with the Suns over the Heat. "I love playing for this coach and I love playing with these guys", O'Neal said. "We have professionals who know what to do. No one is asking me to play with [his former Heat teammates]Chris Quinn orRicky Davis. I'm actually on a team again." Riley felt O'Neal was wrong for maligning his former teammates. O'Neal responded with an expletive toward Riley, whom he often referred to as the "great Pat Riley" while playing for the Heat.[122] O'Neal credited the Suns training staff with prolonging his career.[123] They connected his arthritic toe, which would not bend, to the alteration of his jump that consequently was straining his leg. The trainers had him concentrate on building hiscore strength, flexibility, and balance.[124]
The 2008–09 season, improved for O'Neal, who averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks through the first half (41 games) of the season, leading the Suns to a 23–18 record and 2nd place in their division.[125] He returned to the All-Star Game in 2009 and emerged as co-MVP along with ex-teammate Kobe Bryant.
On February 27, 2009, O'Neal scored 45 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, his 49th career 40-point game, beating theToronto Raptors 133–113.
In a matchup against Orlando on March 3, 2009, O'Neal was outscored by Magic centerDwight Howard, 21–19. "I'm really too old to be trying to outscore 18-year-olds", O'Neal said, referring to the then 23-year-old Howard. "It's not really my role anymore." O'Neal was double-teamed most of the night. "I like to play people one-on-one. My whole career I had to play people one-on-one. Never once had to double or ask for a double. But it's cool", said O'Neal. During the game, O'Neal flopped against Howard. Magic coachStan Van Gundy, who had coached O'Neal with the Heat, was "very disappointed cause [O'Neal] knows what it's like. Let's stand up and play like men, and I think our guy did that tonight."[126] O'Neal responded, "Flopping is playing like that your whole career. I was trying to take the charge, trying to get a call. It probably was a flop, but flopping is the wrong use of words. Flopping would describe his coaching."[127]Mark Madsen, a Lakers teammate of O'Neal's for three years, found it amusing since "everyone in the league tries to flop on Shaq and Shaq never flops back."[128] In a 2006 interview inTIME, O'Neal said if he were NBA commissioner, he would "Make a guy have to beat a guy—not flop and get calls and be nice to the referees and kiss ass."[129]
On March 6, O'Neal talked about the upcoming game against the Rockets andYao Ming. "It's not going to be man-on-man, so don't even try that," says O'Neal with an incredulous laugh. "They're going to double and triple me like everybody else ... I rarely get to play [Yao] one-on-one ... But when I play him (on defense), it's just going to be me down there. So don't try to make it a Yao versus Shaq thing, when it's Shaq versus four other guys."[130]
The2009 NBA Playoffs was also the first time since O'Neal's rookie season in1992–93 that he did not participate in the playoffs. He was named as a member of the All-NBA Third Team. The Suns notified O'Neal he might be traded to cut costs.[131]
Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010)
On June 25, 2009, O'Neal was traded to theCleveland Cavaliers forBen Wallace,Sasha Pavlovic, $500,000, and a 2010 second-round draft pick.[132] Upon arriving in Cleveland, O'Neal said, "My motto is very simple: Win a Ring for the King", referring toLeBron James.[133] James was the leader of the team, and O'Neal deferred to him.[134] On February 25, 2010, O'Neal suffered a severe right thumb injury while attempting to go up for a shot againstGlen Davis of the Boston Celtics.[135] He had surgery on the thumb on March 1 and returned to play in time for thefirst round of the playoffs.[136]
After defeating theChicago Bulls in the first round, the Cavaliers went on to lose to the Boston Celtics in the second round. In September 2016, O'Neal said: "When I was in Cleveland, we were in first place. Big Baby [Glen Davis] breaks my hand and I had to sit out five weeks late in the year. I come back finally in the first round of the playoffs, and we lost to Boston in the second round. I was upset. I know for a fact if I was healthy, we would have gotten it done that year and won a ring."[137] O'Neal averaged career lows in almost every major statistical category during the 2009–10 season, largely due to splitting Center duties withZydrunas Ilgauskas.
Upon hearing Bryant comment that he had more rings than O'Neal,Wyc Grousbeck, principal owner of theBoston Celtics, saw an opportunity to acquire O'Neal.[138] Celtics coachDoc Rivers agreed to the signing on the condition that O'Neal would not receive preferential treatment, nor could he cause any locker room problems like in Los Angeles or Miami.[139] On August 4, 2010, the Celtics announced that they had signed O'Neal.[140] The contract was for two years at the veteran minimum salary for a total contract value of $2.8 million.[141] O'Neal wanted the largermid-level exception contract, but the Celtics chose instead to give it toJermaine O'Neal.[142] TheAtlanta Hawks and theDallas Mavericks also expressed interest but had stalled on O'Neal's salary demands.[143][144] He was introduced by the Celtics on August 10, 2010, and chose the number 36.[145]
O'Neal said he did not "compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night—like D–Wade, Kobe." O'Neal added that he was only competing against Duncan: "IfTim Duncan gets five rings, then that gives some writer the chance to say 'Duncan is the best,' and I can't have that."[146] Publicly, he insisted he did not care whether he started or substituted for the Celtics, but expected to be part of the second unit.[146] Privately, he wanted to start, but kept it to himself.[147] O'Neal missed games throughout the season due to an assortment of ailments to his right leg[148] including knee,[149] calf,[150] hip,[151] and Achilles injuries.[152] The Celtics traded away centerKendrick Perkins in February partially due to the expectation that O'Neal would return to fill Perkins' role. The Celtics were 33–10 in games Perkins had missed during the year due to injury,[148] and they were 19–3 in games that O'Neal played over 20 minutes.[153] After requesting acortisone shot, O'Neal returned April 3 after missing 27 games due to his Achilles; he played only five minutes due to a strained right calf.[148][154] It was the last regular season game he would play that year.[155] O'Neal missed the first round of the2011 playoffs. He insisted on more cortisone shots and returned in the second round, but he was limited to 12 minutes in two games as the Heat eliminated the Celtics from the playoffs.[156][157]
On June 1, 2011, O'Neal announced his retirement via social media.[158][159] On a short video onTwitter, O'Neal tweeted, "We did it. Nineteen years, baby. I want to thank you very much. That's why I'm telling you first. I'm about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon." On June 3, 2011, O'Neal held a press conference at his home in Orlando to officially announce his retirement.[160]
National team career
While in college, O'Neal was considered for theDream Team to fill the college spot, but it eventually went to future teammateChristian Laettner.[161] His national team career began in the1994 FIBA World Championship in which he was namedMVP of the Tournament. While he led theDream Team II to the gold medal with an 8–0 record, O'Neal averaged 18 points and 8.5 rebounds and recorded two double-doubles. In four games, he scored more than 20 points. Before 2010, he was the last active American player to have a gold from theFIBA World Cup.
He was one of two players (the other beingReggie Miller) from the 1994 roster to be also named to theDream Team III. Due to more star-power, he rotated withHakeem Olajuwon andDavid Robinson and started 3 games. He averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds with 8 total blocks. Again, a perfect 8–0 record landed him another gold medal at the1996 Olympics in Atlanta. O'Neal was upset that coachLenny Wilkens played Robinson more minutes in the final game; Wilkens previously explained to O'Neal that it would probably be Robinson's last Olympics.[162]
After his 1996 experience, he declined to play in international competition. He was angered by being overlooked for the1999 FIBA AmeriCup squad, saying it was a "lack of respect".[163] He forwent an opportunity to participate in the2000 Olympics, explaining that two gold medals were enough.[164] O'Neal also chose not to play in the2002 FIBA World Championship.[165] He rejected an offer to play in the2004 Olympics,[166] and although he was initially interested in being named for 2006–2008 US preliminary roster,[167] he eventually declined the invitation.[168]
Player profile
O'Neal'sfree throw shooting was regarded as one of his major weaknesses.
O'Neal is widely considered one of the greatest centers and players of all time, and is sometimes regarded as the most dominant player ever.ESPN ranked him as the tenth greatest NBA player and the fifth greatest player of the 21st century, and wrote that he was the most dominant player of all time.[169][170] ESPN also ranked him as the fifth greatest center of all time.[171]Slam Magazine ranked O'Neal as the sixth greatest player of all time.[172]The Athletic ranked him as the eighth greatest basketball player ever, and wrote that he was "perhaps the most physically dominant post presence in league history".[173]NBC Sports Boston ranked O'Neal as the fourth greatest center in NBA history.[174] CBS Sports ranked O'Neal as the ninth greatest player of all time, and wrote that he was "probably the most dominant physical force in league history".[175]
O'Neal established himself as an overpowering low post presence, putting up career averages of 23.7 points on .582 field goal accuracy, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
At 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m), 330 lb (150 kg)[176] and U.S.shoe size 23,[86] he became famous for his physical stature. His physical frame gave him a power advantage over most opponents. On two occasions during his first season in the NBA, his powerful dunksbroke the steel backboard supports, prompting the league to increase the brace strength and stability of the backboards for the following 1993–94 season.[177]
O'Neal's "drop step", (called the "Black Tornado" by O'Neal) in which he posted up a defender, turned around and, using his elbows for leverage, powered past him for a very high-percentageslam dunk, proved an effective offensive weapon. In addition, O'Neal frequently used a right-handedjump hook shot to score near the basket. The ability to dunk contributed to his career field goal accuracy of .582, second only toArtis Gilmore as the highest field goal percentage of all time.[178] He led the NBA in field goal percentage 10 times, breakingWilt Chamberlain's record of nine.[86]
Opposing teams often used up many fouls on O'Neal, reducing the playing time of their own big men. O'Neal's imposing physical presence inside thepaint caused dramatic changes in many teams' offensive and defensive strategies.[179]
O'Neal's primary weakness was hisfree throw shooting, with a career average of 52.7%. He once missed all 11 of his free throw attempts in a game against theSeattle SuperSonics on December 8, 2000, a record.[180] O'Neal believes his free throw woes were a mental issue, as he often shot 80 percent in practice.[181] In hope of exploiting O'Neal's poor foul shooting, opponents often committed intentional fouls against him, a tactic known as "Hack-a-Shaq". O'Neal was the third-ranked player all-time in free throws taken,[182] having attempted 11,252 free-throws in 1,207 games up to and including the 2010–11 season. On December 25, 2008, O'Neal missed his 5,000th free throw, becoming the second player in NBA history to do so, along with Chamberlain.[183]
O'Neal only made one three-point shot during his entire career. He made the shot during the 1995–96 NBA season with the Orlando Magic. His career three-point-shot record is 1 for 22 (a 4.5% career percentage).
O'Neal was a capable defender, named three times to the All-NBA Second Defensive Team. His presence intimidated opposing players shooting near the basket, and he averaged 2.3 blocked shots per game over the course of his career.[184]
Phil Jackson believed O'Neal underachieved in his career, saying he "could and should have been the MVP player for 10 consecutive seasons."[185] In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th AnniversaryThe Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named O'Neal as the 8th greatest player in NBA history.[186]
The Lakers retired his No. 34 jersey on April 2, 2013.[187] On February 26, 2016, the Miami Heat announced that it would retire O'Neal's No. 32 jersey during the 2016–17 season, making O'Neal one of just 32 athletes in American professional sports history to have their jersey retired by multiple teams.[188][189]The Heat eventually retired his jersey on December 22, 2016, during halftime of a game against his former team, theLos Angeles Lakers. On February 13, 2024, theOrlando Magic retired O'Neal's No. 32 jersey, the first time they retired a players' number.[190] He became the third player to have his number retired by three NBA teams, joiningWilt Chamberlain andPete Maravich.[191]
Off the court
Media personality
O'Neal in 1998
O'Neal called himself "The BigAristotle" and "Hobo Master" for his composure and insights during interviews. Journalists and others gave O'Neal several nicknames, including "Shaq", "The Diesel", "Shaq Fu", "The Big Daddy", "Superman", "The BigAgave", "The BigCactus", "The Big Shaqtus", "The BigGalactus", "Wilt Chamberneezy", "The BigBaryshnikov", "The Real Deal", "The BigShamrock", "The BigLeprechaun", "Shaqovic",[192][193] and "The Big Conductor".[194] Although he was a favorite interviewee of the press, O'Neal was sensitive and often went weeks without speaking.[195] When he did not want to speak with the press, he employed an interview technique whereby, sitting in front of his cubicle, he would murmur in his low-pitched voice.[195][196]
O'Neal's humorous and sometimes incendiary comments fueled theLos Angeles Lakers' long-standing rivalry with theSacramento Kings; O'Neal frequently referred to the Sacramento team as the "Queens".[199][200][201] During the 2002 victory parade, O'Neal declared that Sacramento would never be the capital of California,[202] after the Lakers beat the Kings in a tough seven-game series en route to its third championship with O'Neal.
He also received media flak formocking Chinese people when interviewed about newcomer centerYao Ming. O'Neal told a reporter, "you tell Yao Ming, ching chong yang, wah, ah so."[203] O'Neal later said it waslocker room humor and he meant no offense. Yao believed that O'Neal was joking, but he said many Asians wouldn't see the humor.[204] Yao joked, "Chinese is hard to learn. I had trouble with it when I was little."[205] O'Neal later expressed regret for the way he treated Yao early in his career.[206]
During the 2005 NBA playoffs, O'Neal compared his poor play toErick Dampier,[207] aDallas Mavericks center who had failed to score a single point in one of their recent games. The quip inspired countless citations and references by announcers during those playoffs, though Dampier himself offered little response to the insult. The two would meet in the2006 NBA Finals.[208]
O'Neal was very vocal with the media, often making jabs at Laker teammate Kobe Bryant. In the summer of 2005, when asked about Bryant, he responded, "I'm sorry, who?" and continued to pretend that he did not know who Bryant was until well into the 2005–06 season.[209]
O'Neal also appeared on television onSaturday Night Live (he was initially picked to host the second episode of season 24 in 1998, but had to back out due to scheduling conflicts, being replaced byKelsey Grammer; however, he did appear in two sketches during the episode) and in 2007 hostedShaq's Big Challenge, a reality show on ABC in which he challenged Florida kids to lose weight and stay in shape.
When the Lakers faced the Heat on January 16, 2006, O'Neal and Bryant made headlines by engaging in handshakes and hugs before the game, an event that was believed to signify the end of the so-called "Bryant–O'Neal feud" that had festered since O'Neal left Los Angeles. O'Neal was quoted as saying that he accepted the advice of NBA legendBill Russell to make peace with Bryant.[210] On June 22, 2008, O'Nealfreestyled adiss rap about Bryant in a New York club. While rapping, O'Neal blamed Bryant for his divorce from his wife Shaunie and claims to have received avasectomy, as part of a rhyme. He also taunted Bryant for not being able to win a championship without him. O'Neal led the audience to mockingly chant several times "Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes".[211] O'Neal justified his act by saying "I was freestyling. That's all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever. That is what MCs do. They freestyle when called upon. I'm totally cool with Kobe. No issue at all."[212] Although even other exponents ofhip hop, such asSnoop Dogg,Nas and Cory Gunz, agreed with O'Neal,[213]Maricopa County, Arizona SheriffJoe Arpaio expressed his intention to relieve O'Neal of his Maricopa County sheriff posse badge, due to "use of a racially derogatory word and other foul language". The racial quote from his song was "it's like a white boy trying to be morenigga than me."[214]
Beginning in 1993, O'Neal began to composerap music. He released five studio albums and onecompilation album. Although his rapping abilities were criticized at the outset,[216][217] one critic credited him with "progressing as a rapper in small steps, not leaps and bounds".[218] His 1993 debut album,Shaq Diesel, receivedplatinum certification from theRIAA.[219]
O'Neal was featured alongsideMichael Jackson as a guest rapper on "2 Bad", a song from Jackson's 1995 albumHIStory. He contributed three tracks, including the song "We Genie", to theKazaamsoundtrack.[220] O'Neal was also featured inAaron Carter's 2001 hit single "That's How I Beat Shaq". Shaq also appears in the music video for the release.[221]
O'Neal also started DJing in the 1980s at LSU.[223]
In 2016, O'Neal lip syncedthe B-52s song "Love Shack" on the television showLip Sync Battle.[224] Since the second word of the song's title sounds just like O'Neal's famous nickname, hostLL Cool J pointed out that O'Neal was singing a "love song to himself."[224]
O'Neal produces electronic dance music and tours the world under the stage name DJ Diesel (stylized in all caps).[225]
In July 2017, O'Neal released adiss track aimed atLaVar Ball, the father of NBA point guardLonzo Ball.[226] The three-minute song was released in response to Ball claiming he and his younger sonLaMelo, would beat O'Neal and his sonShareef in a game of basketball.
On June 7, 2023, O'Neal released his first single as DJ Diesel from his debut albumGorilla Warfare, titled "Bang Your Head" in collaboration with Hairitage.[231] The album was released on August 18.[232]
He contributed a verse to the rapperRedman's track "Lite It Up" from theMuddy Waters Too album, released December 24, 2024.[233]
Education
O'Neal dropped out of LSU for the NBA after three years. However, he promised his mother he would eventually return to his studies and complete hisbachelor's degree. He fulfilled that promise in 2000, earning hisB.A. degree in general studies from LSU,[234] with a minor inpolitical science.[235] CoachPhil Jackson let O'Neal miss a home game so he could attend graduation. At the ceremony, he told the crowd "now I can go and get a real job".
Subsequently, O'Neal earned an onlineMBA degree through theUniversity of Phoenix in 2005. In reference to his completion of his MBA degree, he stated: "It's just something to have on my resume for when I go back into reality. Someday I might have to put down a basketball and have a regular 9-to-5 like everybody else."[236]
Toward the end of his playing career, O'Neal began work on an educational doctorate atBarry University.[237][238] His doctoral capstone[239][240] topic was "The Duality of Humor and Aggression in Leadership Styles".[237][241] O'Neal received hisEd.D. degree inHuman Resource Development from Barry in 2012.[242] He told a reporter forABC News that he planned to further his education by attending law school.[243]
O'Neal maintained a high level of interest in the workings of police departments and became personally involved in law enforcement. O'Neal went through theLos Angeles County Sheriff's Reserve Academy and became a reserve officer with theLos Angeles Port Police. On March 2, 2005, O'Neal was given an honoraryU.S. Deputy Marshal title and named the spokesman for the Safe Surfin' Foundation; he served an honorary role on the task force of the same name, which tracks downsexual predators who target children on the Internet.[247]
Upon his trade to Miami, O'Neal began training to become aMiami Beach reserve officer. On December 8, 2005, he was sworn in, but elected for a private ceremony to avoid distracting attention from the other officers. He assumed a $1-per-year salary in this capacity.[248] Shortly thereafter, in Miami, O'Neal witnessed ahate crime (assaulting a man while calling outhomophobic slurs) and calledMiami-Dade police, describing the suspect and helping police, over his cell phone, track the offender.[248] O'Neal's actions resulted in the arrest of two suspects on charges ofaggravated battery, assault, and ahate crime.[249]
In September 2006, O'Neal took part in a raid on a home in ruralBedford County, Virginia. O'Neal had been made an "honorary deputy" by the local sheriff's department. O'Neal was not qualified as a SWAT officer.[250]
On January 20, 2015, O'Neal was sworn in as a reserve officer forDoral, Florida's police force.[253] In December 2016, O'Neal was sworn in as a sheriff's deputy inJonesboro, Georgia, as part ofClayton County, Georgia Sheriff's Department. O'Neal holds the county record of Tallest Sheriff's Deputy.[254]
O'Neal is one of the first African Americans to portray a major comic book superhero in a motion picture, having starred asJohn Henry Irons, the protagonist in the 1997 filmSteel. He is preceded only byMichael Jai White, whose filmSpawn was released two weeks beforeSteel.
He voiced animated versions of himself on several occasions, including in the animated seriesStatic Shock (2002; episode "Static Shaq"), inJohnny Bravo (1997; episode "Back on Shaq"), inUncle Grandpa (2014; episode "Perfect Kid"), and inThe Lego Movie (2014). He also had a voice over role in the 2013 filmThe Smurfs 2.[258]
O'Neal and his mother, Lucille Harrison, were featured in the documentary filmApple Pie, which aired onESPN.[270][271] O'Neal had a 2005 reality series on ESPN,Shaquille,[272] and hosted a series calledShaq's Big Challenge onABC.[273]
O'Neal also participated in the 2002Discovery Channel specialMotorcycle Mania 2, requesting an exceptionally large bike to fit his large size from famed custom motorcycle builderJesse James,[274]; in addition to this, O'Neal also appeared in the firstIdol Gives Back in 2007,[275] on an episode ofFear Factor,[276] and on an episode of MTV'sJackass, where he was lifted off the ground onWee Man's back.[277] O'Neal was aprofessional wrestling fan and made appearances at manyWWE andAEW events.[278]
O'Neal was pranked on the MTV showPunk'd when a crew member accused him of stealing his parking space. After O'Neal and his wife went into a restaurant,Ashton Kutcher's crew members let the air out of O'Neal's tires. O'Neal and the crew member then got into an altercation, and after Kutcher told O'Neal he had been Punk'd, O'Nealmade an obscene gesture at the camera.[279][280]
O'Neal starred in a reality show calledShaq Vs. which premiered on August 18, 2009, onABC.[281] The show featured O'Neal competing against other athletes at their own sports.[282]
In September 2015, whilst promoting sportswear giantReebok inSouth Korea, O'Neal joined the cast in theSouth Korean variety television showOff to School where he went to Seo Incheon High School. The show features various celebrities attending a selected high school as students for three days.[284] The producer of the show, Kim No-eun said, "We've worked hard on our guest list this season, soChoo Seong Hoon will be appearing on a cable channel for the first time. Shaquille O'Neal will be on the show as well. We succeeded in casting him after a lot of effort. O'Neal will be visiting Korea for a promotion and will be visiting the school on the last day. He will have lunch with the students. We're even preparing a big match between Choo Seong Hoon and Shaquille O'Neal. We're specially preparing a uniform for Shaquille O'Neal."[285][286][287]
On May 3, 2024, O'Neal was announced as one of the co-hosts (along withGina Rodriguez) of the upcomingABC game showLucky 13.[289] The series premiered on July 18, 2024.
Netflix released Power Moves worldwide on June 4, 2025,[290] starring Shaquille O’Neal andAllen Iverson (A.I.). The series follows O’Neal and Iverson as they take on the challenge of reviving theReebok brand, which had nearly disappeared underAdidas’s ownership. Alongside sponsorship deals with young athletes like WNBA starAngel Reese, they aim to revitalise the brand’s cultural image.
O'Neal began training inmixed martial arts (MMA) in 2000. At Jonathan Burke's Gracie Gym, he trained inboxing,jiu-jitsu,Muay Thai andwrestling.[293] At the gym, he used the nickname Diesel.[294] O'Neal challengedkickboxer and mixed martial artistChoi Hong-man to a mixed martial arts rules bout in a YouTube video posted on June 17, 2009. Choi replied to an email asking him if he would like to fight O'Neal saying "Yes, if there is a chance." Choi also responded to a question asking if O'Neal had a chance of winning with a simple "No."[295] On August 28, 2010, in an interview atUFC 118 in Boston, O'Neal reiterated his desire to fight Choi.[296] In 2023,Chael Sonnen revealed that he once attempted to arrange a grappling match between O'Neal and multiple-timeUFC world championGeorges St-Pierre.[297]
In April 2016, O'Neal participated in his first-ever match, when he was a surprise celebrity entry in theAndré the Giant Memorial Battle Royal atWrestleMania 32.[304] O'Neal eliminatedDamien Sandow and had another confrontation with Big Show before being eliminated himself by most of the other wrestlers.[305] In July at the2016 ESPY Awards on the red carpet, Big Show and O'Neal had another brief confrontation.[306] A match was proposed forWrestleMania 33, which O'Neal accepted.[307][308] In January 2017, the two began calling each other out on social media, posting workout videos of themselves preparing for the potential match.[309][310] After weeks of discussion, the match was cancelled. According toDave Meltzer ofWrestling Observer Newsletter, the match was canceled due to monetary reasons, as both parties could not agree on a deal.[311] Big Show later stated it was scheduling issues on O'Neal's part that caused the cancellation.[312]
On the November 11, 2020, episode ofAEW Dynamite,Jade Cargill interruptedCody Rhodes and teased the arrival of O'Neal inAll Elite Wrestling (AEW).[313][314] He made a cameo appearance onBeing The Elite and it was later confirmed that O'Neal had been appearing backstage at recent AEW tapings, includingFull Gear.[315][316][317] He appeared on the December 9 episode ofAEW Dynamite and addressed AEW in a sit-down interview withTony Schiavone andBrandi Rhodes.[318] At the end of the interview, O'Neal got water thrown on him by Brandi after telling her to get pointers from Cargill, who had broken Brandi's arm several weeks ago.[319][320] On the March 3, 2021 episode ofAEW Dynamite titledThe Crossroads, O'Neal teamed withJade Cargill to defeatCody Rhodes andRed Velvet. During the match, O'Neal paid tribute toBrodie Lee with his signature gesture and powerbomb and was driven through two tables by Cody, who hit O'Neal with a flying crossbody tackle as O'Neal was standing on the ring apron, knocking O'Neal through the tables that were set up at ringside.[321][322]
Business ventures
As of 2022[update], O'Neal was among the five wealthiest NBA players, with a net worth of $400 million.[323]
He was an active bond investor in the early 1990s but also bought stocks, includingGeneral Electric,Apple, andPepsiCo. He said stock investing worked best for him when he felt a personal connection with the company.[324] O'Neal was an early investor inGoogle.[323] In June 2015, he invested in technology startup Loyale3 Holdings Inc., a San Francisco brokerage firm whose website and mobile app enables companies to sell a piece of theirIPOs directly to small investors who put up as a little as $100 and also allows investors to regularly buy small amounts of shares in already public companies.[324]
O'Neal is on theadvisory board forTout Industries, asocial video service based in San Francisco.[159] He received the position in return for breaking news of his NBA retirement on the service.[332]
In September 2013, O'Neal became a minority owner of theSacramento Kings professional basketball team.[333] In April 2018, O'Neal was named the general manager of Kings Guard Gaming, the Kings'NBA 2K League affiliate.[11] In January 2022, O'Neal sold his stake in the Kings.[334]
In 2018, O'Neal createdShaq's Fun House, an annual music festival, circus, and carnival, withMedium Rare.[337] The event usually features celebrity DJs and performers.[338][339] In 2022, O'Neal premiered Shaqtoberfest, a Halloween event in Long Beach, California.[340][341]
In early 2019, O'Neal joined thePapa John's board of directors and invested in nine stores in the Atlanta area. As part of the three-year contract, he became the spokesperson for the company .[342] The next year, Papa John's introduced the Shaq-a-Roni, a pizza dedicated to O'Neal.[343]
O'Neal was raised by aBaptist mother and aMuslim stepfather and said that they taught him both religions.[350][351] BothRobin Wright in her bookRock the Casbah as well as theLos Angeles Times have identified O'Neal as a Muslim.[352][353][354] However, O'Neal has said, "I'm Muslim, I'm Jewish, I'm Buddhist, I'm everybody 'cause I'm a people person."[355]
Marriage and children
O'Neal marriedShaunie Nelson on December 26, 2002. The couple have four children, includingShareef.[356][357][358] Nelson also has a son from a previous relationship whom O'Neal adopted. O'Neal also has a daughter from a previous relationship.[359][360][361]
On September 4, 2007, O'Neal filed for divorce from Nelson in a Miami-Dade Circuit court. Nelson later said that the couple was back together and that the divorce petition had been withdrawn. However, on November 10, 2009, Nelson filed an intent to divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.[362] The divorce was finalized in 2011. O'Neal blames himself for the failed marriage and says he made mistakes and was "greedy".[363]
In 2015, Shareef was seen in high school basketball highlights as a 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) freshman power forward, and had been described as having a "polar opposite playing style to his father" due to his more athletic build and better shooting range.[364][365] Shareef played in college for theUCLA Bruins before transferring to LSU.[366]
In November 2023, O'Neal's daughter, Me'Arah, signed her national letter of intent to theFlorida Gators.[367] The 2024–25 season marked her freshman year at Florida.[368]
O'Neal began dating Laticia Rolle, a model, originally fromGardner, Massachusetts, in early 2014.[374] They later split in March 2018.[375]
Outside of family
O'Neal in May 2011
O'Neal was initiated into the Theta Kappa chapter ofOmega Psi Phi fraternity at LSU.[376][377] In June 2005, when Hall of Fame centerGeorge Mikan died, O'Neal, who considered Mikan to be a major influence, extended an offer to his family to pay all of the funeral expenses, which they accepted.[378] O'Neal's stepfather, Philip Arthur Harrison, died of a heart attack on September 10, 2013.[379]
In 2016, O'Neal purchased a 14.3-acre, two-house compound inMcDonough, Georgia for $1.15 million. It is around 30 miles southeast ofAtlanta.[386] The residence is named Shaq-Ingham Palace.
O'Neal turned down a $40 million deal with Reebok after hearing a mother complain about how expensive his shoes were.[389] In July 2023, O'Neal purchased his first private jet; a $27 millionBombardier Challenger 650, complete with the iconic "Dunkman" logo on the tail.[390]
O'Neal is a fan of theSuperman franchise; the1978 film was the first movie he ever saw in theaters, and he has theSuperman logo tattooed on his arm.[393] O'Neal's years-long feud with fellowBasketball Hall of Fame inducteeDwight Howard is believed by other players and coaches to have been started because O'Neal was offended that Howard was nicknamed Superman instead of him.[394]
1993 Outstanding Performance by a Sports Personality in an Attempt to Break into Show Business – Shaquille O'Neal raps withFu-Schnickens onThe Arsenio Hall Show[408]
^Multiple articles refer to him wearing No. 32 in high school because No. 33 was not available. TheCorpus Christi Caller-Times wrote that pictures from a Cole High game in 1989 show him wearing 33. "Maybe he wore No. 32 in earlier seasons", the newspaper added.[33]
^abPlaschke, Bill (June 12, 2002)."'Biological Didn't Bother'".Los Angeles Times.Archived from the original on July 25, 2010. RetrievedJanuary 21, 2011.
^McCallum, Jack (March 3, 1997)."The Young And The Feckless".Sports Illustrated.Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. RetrievedJune 2, 2024.On more than one occasion during O'Neal's rookie season of 1992–93, I heard him say of his then coach, "We've got to get Matty [Guokas] out of here and bring in Brian."
^"Hill Is Named Coach of Magic".The New York Times. July 1, 1993.Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. RetrievedNovember 6, 2010.Matt Guokas, who coached the Orlando Magic to the National Basketball Association's most improved record last season, was replaced today by an assistant, Brian Hill, and was reassigned to the front office as Orlando's vice president of basketball development.
^abReilly, Rick (April 21, 1997)."Shaq's world".Sports Illustrated.Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. RetrievedNovember 9, 2010.He hated the power struggle with his coach, Brian Hill.
^O'Neal, Shaquille (2002).Shaq Talks Back.St. Martin's Paperbacks. p. 52.ISBN978-0-312-98259-1. RetrievedNovember 7, 2010.We just didn't respect him. Sometimes he went from nice to hardcore and people were looking around, like, 'This ain't the guy we know.'
^O'Neal, Shaquille (2002).Shaq Talks Back. St. Martin's Paperbacks. p. 151.ISBN978-0-312-98259-1. RetrievedNovember 14, 2010.When I was in Orlando, I really felt like a big fish in a small, dried-up pond. No matter what I did, it got talked about, until I couldn't really live my life.
^Araton, Harvey (July 19, 1996)."Sports of The Times;Shaq Is Now California Dreamin'".The New York Times.Archived from the original on August 2, 2010. RetrievedNovember 15, 2010.So is greed, Michael Douglas once argued as Gordon Gekko, though O'Neal's changing coasts and uniforms is not about money. We repeat: not about money.
^Elliot, Stuart (November 4, 1993)."Sports Products Deal For Shaquille O'Neal".The New York Times.Archived from the original on November 30, 2010. RetrievedNovember 15, 2010.The athlete's other product agreements include Pepsi-Cola and Reebok.
^"Lakers hold off Sixers, 96–91".Amarillo Globe-News. Associated Press. June 11, 2001. Archived fromthe original on June 22, 2011. RetrievedNovember 9, 2010.The 76ers trailed from the second quarter on and missed their one and only chance to tie the game when Allen Iverson could make only one of two free throws with 2:06 left – 15 seconds after O'Neal drew his sixth foul for backing over Dikembe Mutombo.
^abcdBrown, Tim (August 14, 2002)."O'Neal Surgery Is Likely".Los Angeles Times.Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. RetrievedNovember 17, 2010.A month before last training camp he had surgery to correct a claw toe deformity in the smallest toe of his left foot.
^abc"Shaquille O'Neal Bio Page".NBA.com. Archived fromthe original on February 26, 2011. RetrievedJune 1, 2011.sat out the first 12 games of the season (Oct. 29-Nov. 22) on the Injured List recovering from off-season foot surgery
^abVentre, Mark (December 12, 2005)."It looks like Shaq's reshuffling Heat house".NBCSports.com. Archived fromthe original on October 10, 2012. RetrievedOctober 13, 2010.Remember, this is the same Shaquille O'Neal who, while with the Lakers, once waited all summer to have his injured toe operated on, then did so just before training camp and explained, "I got hurt on company time, so I'll heal on company time."
^Robbins, Liz (December 27, 2005)."BASKETBALL; Riley, Advocating for O'Neal, Objects to the 'Sumo' Defense".The New York Times.Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. RetrievedNovember 17, 2010.The criticism O'Neal and others had for Van Gundy after the Heat's loss to Detroit in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals last season was that he did not call enough plays for O'Neal.
^"Shaq, Wade return in Heat's OT loss to Pacers".ESPN. Associated Press. January 24, 2007. Archived fromthe original on November 5, 2012. RetrievedNovember 10, 2010.O'Neal, who came off the bench after missing 35 games while recovering from knee surgery, finished with five points and five rebounds in 14 minutes.
^"Shaq rips Jackson as 'Benedict Arnold'". NBC Sports. December 26, 2006. Archived fromthe original on March 15, 2011. RetrievedNovember 12, 2010."How can Benedict Arnold be reliable in what he says?" O'Neal said Monday after the Miami Heat's 101–85 victory over the Lakers, theLos Angeles Times reported.
^Ludden, Johnny (February 6, 2008)."Suns, Heat agree to Shaq trade".Yahoo! Sports.Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. RetrievedNovember 13, 2010.In a move that could signify a dramatic change to their go-go-go, let-it-fly style of play, the Phoenix Suns acquired former All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal from the Miami Heat on Wednesday for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.
^"Riley bothered by Shaq's criticism of Heat players, staff".ESPN. March 27, 2008.Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. RetrievedNovember 13, 2010.We have professionals who know what to do. No one is asking me to play with Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. I'm actually on a team again.
^"Magic's Van Gundy calls out Shaq for flopping".ESPN. Associated Press. March 3, 2009. Archived fromthe original on June 13, 2011. RetrievedOctober 15, 2010.I was shocked, seriously, shocked", Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said of O'Neal's flopping. "And very disappointed cause he knows what it's like. Let's stand up and play like men, and I think our guy did that tonight.
^Sheridan, Chris (March 5, 2009)."Shaq rips Van Gundy for flop comment".ESPN.Archived from the original on November 11, 2011. RetrievedNovember 9, 2010."Flopping is playing like that your whole career. I was trying to take the charge, trying to get a call. It probably was a flop, but flopping is the wrong use of words. Flopping would describe his coaching", O'Neal said, steering the conversation back to Van Gundy.
^Madsen, Mark (March 7, 2009)."What is a flop?".MarkMadsen.com. Archived fromthe original on July 14, 2011. RetrievedNovember 9, 2010.So, this whole commotion about whether or not Shaq's play against Dwight Howard was a flop is so funny because everyone in the league tries to flop on Shaq and Shaq never flops back.
^Gregory, Sean (October 30, 2006)."10 Questions for Shaquille O'Neal".Time. Archived fromthe original on November 30, 2010. RetrievedNovember 9, 2010.Make a guy have to beat a guy—not flop and get calls and be nice to the referees and kiss ass.
^Friedman, Jason (March 6, 2009)."Clash Of The Titans".Rockets.com.Archived from the original on November 17, 2010. RetrievedNovember 9, 2010."It's not going to be man-on-man, so don't even try that," says O'Neal with an incredulous laugh.
^Washburn, Gary (September 19, 2010)."Grousbeck's faith goes right down to the core".The Boston Globe.Archived from the original on September 22, 2010. RetrievedOctober 14, 2010."The minute I heard Kobe [Bryant] say he had one more ring than Shaq, I said to Danny, 'Let's go get Shaq,' and it happened", said Grousbeck.
^Washburn, Gary (August 5, 2010)."Shaq aboard for two years".The Boston Globe.Archived from the original on October 6, 2010. RetrievedNovember 9, 2010.All Ainge had to offer was the veteran minimum of $1.35 million, and O'Neal compromised by accepting that on a two-year deal.
^Beck, Howard (July 23, 2010)."Multiple Nicknames; Dwindling Openings".The New York Times.Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. RetrievedNovember 17, 2010.The Dallas Mavericks had interest, but balked at O'Neal's salary demands.
^Cunningham, Michael (August 5, 2010)."Atlanta Hawks: No Shaq . . . now what?".The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived fromthe original on December 9, 2010. RetrievedNovember 17, 2010.Atlanta also wasn't willing to pay Shaq more than the minimum and that was a sticking point for him.
^abMacMullan, Jackie (September 27, 2010)."Shaq ready to leave mark in Boston".ESPN.Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. RetrievedOctober 14, 2010.But I don't compete with little guards. I don't compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night – like D-Wade, Kobe.
^Mike Bresnahan & Robyn Norwood (June 12, 2007)."Bank shot could pay off for Shaq".Los Angeles Times.Archived from the original on July 12, 2008. RetrievedDecember 7, 2019.
^Guillermo, Emil (January 14, 2003)."Shaq's Apology Not Good Enough".San Francisco Chronicle.Archived from the original on October 30, 2017. RetrievedAugust 25, 2010.Perhaps we should put it in terms Shaq might understand: If a white comedian imitated Shaq by making monkey sounds while eating fried chicken and watermelon, would the point be clearer?
^Vecsey, George (January 12, 2003)."Sports of The Times; Fans in Shanghai Are Voting in the Mainstream".The New York Times.Archived from the original on May 26, 2013. RetrievedAugust 25, 2010.Yao quickly said: 'The world is getting smaller, and I think it's important to have a greater understanding of other cultures. I believe Shaquille O'Neal was joking, but I think that a lot of Asian people don't understand that kind of joke.'
^Brown, Tim; Associated Press (January 10, 2003)."Tall tale? Shaq says Yao comments were said in jest".Sports Illustrated. Archived fromthe original on March 30, 2014. RetrievedAugust 25, 2010."Chinese is hard to learn. I had trouble with it when I was little", Yao joked.
^Wilborn, Michael (December 20, 2010)."Can't overestimate Yao Ming's impact". ESPN.Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. RetrievedMarch 13, 2015.Shaquille O'Neal once told me he hated that he hazed Yao a little bit early in his career.
^@djdiesel (October 23, 2021)."DJ DIESEL (@djdiesel) * Instagram photos and videos". Instagram. Archived fromthe original on December 23, 2021. RetrievedOctober 23, 2021.Tonight I play my first EDC. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. Let's turn the pit into a warzone. EDC LAS VEGAS I will see you at the bass pod tonight at 9:30PM!
^page 3 ofSpringer, Shira (August 29, 2010)."BIG man on campus".The Boston Globe.Archived from the original on August 30, 2010. RetrievedAugust 30, 2010.
^Balko, Radley (July 9, 2013). "Chapter 8: THE 2000s- A WHOLE NEW WAR".Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America's Police Forces. PublicAffairs. pp. 288–289.ISBN978-1-61039-212-9. Kindle Location 5188
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