Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most recognizable names in basketball and a true legend in the sport. Known to his fans as “Shaq,” he rose to fame in the early 1990s as a dominant center for the Orlando Magic.
- Shaquille O’Neal: The Beginning
- Shaquille O’Neal’s Dominant Run At LSU
- Orlando Welcomes Shaq To The NBA
- Shaq Goes To Hollywood And Becomes A Champion
- Shaq Wins A Title In Miami And Ends His Playing Career
- Shaq’s Post-Playing Career
- Next
- Larry Bird Biography: The Boston Celtics Legend That Dominated The NBA
- Magic Johnson Biography: How The NBA’s Greatest Passer Defeated A Deadly Illness To Become A Successful Businessman
- LeBron James: The Biography Of The NBA’s King
- The Biography Of The G.O.A.T.: Michael Jordan
- Wilt Chamberlain Biography: The Life, Career, And Legend Of The Most Dominant NBA Player Ever
Over the years, he became a household name, playing for several other NBA teams and earning four championships. However, Shaq’s journey didn’t end with his retirement from professional basketball.
In this article, we’ll take a look at his life before fame, his rise to stardom, and his post-NBA career. From his childhood in Newark, New Jersey, to his successful career in music, film, and television, this is the story of Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most beloved and respected athletes of all time.
Shaquille O’Neal: The Beginning
Shaquille O’Neal, also known as Shaq, was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey, to Lucille O’Neal and Joe Toney. Shaq’s father was an all-star high school basketball player who earned a scholarship to Seton Hall University.
Unfortunately for Toney, he would fall into drugs, which eventually leads to him going to prison. This occurred when Shaq was just a baby. Once Toney was released from prison, he didn’t want any part of Shaq or his mother and eventually signed over his parental rights to Shaq’s stepfather, Phillip Harrison.
Harrison was a sergeant in the Army, and this led to Shaq moving to Germany. Eventually, the family moved back to the States, settling down in San Antonio, Texas.
Harrison helped Shaq develop his killer mentality at a young age. “Sarge” as Harrison was often called, even by Shaq, taught the young O’Neal a valuable lesson when it came to his trophies.
Shaq once shared this lesson in an interview on The Dan Patrick Show.
(Starts at 5:40)
“He used to always take my trophies and put them in a box,” Shaq said. “Never displayed them. So finally, when I got older, I asked him, Why did you do that? He said, I never wanted you to be satisfied. So after he passed away several years ago, I retrieved all the trophies. I made a trophy room dedicated to him in his honor, and I am doing the same thing to my children.”
Shaq was a big teenager, standing at 6’10” when he was 16. This naturally led to Shaq picking up the game of basketball. Shaq attended Robert G. Cole High School, and he had a very successful high school basketball career.
Shaq averaged an insane 32 points, 26 rebounds, and 8 blocks while leading his team to a 68–1 record. This includes a single-game stat line of 26 points, 36 rebounds, and 26 blocks!
Shaq’s dominant play in high school led to many colleges taking notice of his skills. The young big man eventually settled on Louisiana State University.
Now, Shaq would dominate the basketball world on the collegiate level. Would there be anyone who could stop him?
Shaquille O’Neal’s Dominant Run At LSU
Shaquille O’Neal had an impressive career in college, playing for the LSU Tigers from 1989 to 1992. Shaq’s college career was unforgettable for many reasons.
In three seasons, Shaq averaged 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 4.6 blocks on 61.0% shooting. Shaq won the SEC Player of the Year award twice, was named a First-Team All-American twice, First-Team All-SEC in 1990, and the 1991 National Player of the Year as chosen by the Associated Press (Rupp Award), and the United Press International.
Beyond his incredible stats and accolades, Shaq’s larger-than-life personality and charisma made him a fan favorite. He was a dominant force on the court, standing at 7’1″ and weighing over 300 pounds, but his warm smile and upbeat attitude made him a beloved figure both on and off the court.
His combination of athleticism and personality was truly unforgettable, and it helped to solidify his status as one of the greatest players in college basketball history. Unfortunately for Shaq, he would never win an NCAA championship.
Shaq’s next stop would be the NBA, and his hunger to win a championship would only grow larger.
Orlando Welcomes Shaq To The NBA
Shaq skipped his senior year to enter the 1992 NBA Draft, where he’d be selected first overall by the Orlando Magic. Even though Shaq left LSU early, he’d continued with his education in a big way…
As for Shaq’s NBA career, it started off with a bang. In his first week, Shaq became the first player to be named Player of the Week in his first week in the NBA. Shaq was named an All-Star starter, the first rookie since Michael Jordan to earn a start in an All-Star Game.
Shaq would go on to win the Rookie of the Year Award with averages of 23.4 points on 56.2% shooting, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game.
Despite Shaq’s great play as a rookie, the Magic finished with a 41-41 record, missing the playoffs. By Shaq’s third year, not only did the Magic make the playoffs, but they reached the NBA Finals, as well.
Shaq had a great year in the 1994-95 season. He won his first NBA scoring title with a 29.3 points per game average. Shaq also averaged 11.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.
The Magic won 57 games that season, which was the best in the Eastern Conference. After storming through the Eastern Conference, defeating each team that stood in their way, including the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, Shaq helped Orlando reach the franchise’s first NBA Finals.
Shaq played great in the Finals, averaging 28.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game. The problem was their opponents, the Houston Rockets, were led by Hakeem Olajuwon, who had a dominant series as well, as he appeared to be unstoppable.
The Magic were swept 0-4 by the Rockets, and Shaq would only play one more season in Orlando, getting swept once again, this time in the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals by the Chicago Bulls. After the season, Shaq would join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, setting up one of the best duos the game has ever seen.
Shaq Goes To Hollywood And Becomes A Champion
Shaq signed with the Lakers, opening up an entire list of possibilities for his career. First, it allowed Shaq to work more on his acting career, in which Shaq has appeared in many movies, including Blue Chips, Steel, and Kazaam.
On the basketball court, Shaq saw his first year with the Lakers become a bit of a disappointment. The team finished with a 56-26 record and lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Utah Jazz.
However, Shaq’s impact on the team was undeniable. He averaged 26.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game in his first year with the Lakers.
Despite the disappointing end to the season, Shaq’s first year with the Lakers gave fans a glimpse of what was to come. Shaq’s arrival had breathed new life into a struggling team, and it was clear that the Lakers were on the path to greatness.
The first year Shaq joined the Lakers was also the year the Lakers made a draft day trade to bring in high school phenom Kobe Bryant. Shaq’s partnership with Kobe was one of the most dominant and controversial in NBA history.
Together, they formed one of the greatest one-two punches the league has ever seen. However, their partnership was not without its challenges. The dynamic between Shaq and Kobe was often described as a love-hate relationship.
On the court, they were unstoppable. Shaq’s brute force and dominance in the paint, combined with Kobe’s finesse and skill on the perimeter, made them nearly impossible to defend against. However, off the court, their relationship was often fraught with tension and conflict.
Their differing personalities and egos clashed at times, leading to public spats and reported feuds. Despite this, they were able to put their differences aside and come together on the court, which ultimately led to success.
Their partnership ended in 2004 when Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat, and Kobe remained with the Lakers. While their relationship may have been tumultuous at times, you cannot deny their legacy, as what they accomplished was incredible.
In the 1999-00 season, Shaq was named the NBA MVP for the first time in his career. Shaq won his second scoring title with 29.7 points per game average. He also averaged 13.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game during his MVP run.
As for the NBA playoffs, there was no stopping MVP Shaq as he and Kobe led the Lakers back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1991. Shaq would dominate the Indiana Pacers as he averaged 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks during the NBA Finals.
The Lakers won their first championship since 1988, with a 4-2 series victory over the Pacers, and Shaq was named the Finals MVP. In the following season, the Lakers repeated as champions, as they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-1.
Once again, Shaq won his second consecutive NBA Finals MVP award. His performance in the 2001 NBA Finals was equally impressive, as he averaged 33.0 points, 15.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 3.4 blocks per game.
Shaq’s presence in the paint proved to be the difference-maker in the series. Shaq’s impact on the Lakers’ championship runs was not limited to his on-court performance, however.
His leadership and work ethic were instrumental in creating a winning culture in Los Angeles. He pushed his teammates to work harder, and his confidence and swagger gave the Lakers a sense of invincibility that opponents found intimidating.
Shaq would lead the Lakers to a third straight title in 2002 by sweeping the New Jersey Nets 4-0. Once more, Shaq was named Finals MVP with averages of 36.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game.
Shaq would lead his Lakers to one more Finals in 2004, but Los Angeles would fall 1-4 to the Detroit Pistons. This would be the last series Shaq ever played with the Lakers before asking to be traded.
In the end, Shaq’s legacy with the Lakers is one of unparalleled dominance and success. His impact on the team cannot be overstated, and his contributions to the Lakers’ championship runs will be remembered for generations to come.
Shaq Wins A Title In Miami And Ends His Playing Career
Shaq would find success in just his second season with his new team, the Miami Heat. It was the 2005–06 season, and after Shaq’s Heat fell in a 0-2 hole against the Dallas Mavericks, Miami stormed back to win the series and the title 4-2.
Shaq’s new dynamic running mate, Dwyane Wade, won the Finals MVP, but this didn’t mean Shaq had a bad series. At age 33, Shaq still managed to average 13.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
This would be the last time Shaq would win a championship. Shaq would play five more seasons after winning his fourth title, and he’d play for three other teams after the Heat. These teams were the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Boston Celtics.
Finally, after the 2010-11 season, Shaq would retire from the game after playing 19 seasons in the NBA. Shaq finished his career with averages of 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game on 58.2% shooting from the field.
Shaq was a poor free throw shooter for his career, finishing with just 52.7% from the line. This led to teams purposely fouling Shaq to send him to the line, and it was dubbed “Hack-a-Shaq.”
During his 19-year career, Shaq earned many accolades, which helps to prove his case as the most dominant player to ever step foot on an NBA court. Here is a list of Shaq’s accolades:
– 4x NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006)
– 3x NBA Finals MVP (2000, 2001, 2002)
– 15x NBA All-Star (1993-1998, 2000-2007, 2009)
– 2x NBA scoring champion (1995, 2000)
– NBA Most Valuable Player (2000)
– NBA Rookie of the Year (1993)
– 8x All-NBA First Team (1998, 2000-2006)
– 2x All-NBA Second Team (1995, 1999)
– 4x All-NBA Third Team (1994, 1996-1997, 2009)
– 3x NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2000, 2001, 2003)
– NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993)
– FIBA World Championship MVP (1994)
– Olympic Gold Medalist (1996)
– 3x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000, 2004, 2009)
– 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996)
– Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2016)
For some NBA players, retirement is the end of their time in the public spotlight. This would not be the case for Shaquille O’Neal. Not only would he have success in a TV career, but Shaq would have many different careers.
All of these careers match Shaq’s unique personality, and it shows how amazing of a person the Big Fella really is.
Shaq’s Post-Playing Career
After retiring from the NBA, Shaq became a sports analyst for TNT. You can watch Shaq’s personality spill out on the show, as he’s always joking around and having fun with his co-hosts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROPsn3O6JAw
This isn’t the only job Shaq has had, though. Shaq has also dabbled in acting, rap music, and even law enforcement.
Yes, Shaq was officially sworn in as a member of the Miami Beach police force as a reserve officer in 2005. He’s also worked with several other police departments over the years.
Shaquille O'Neal applied to be a reserve police officer in Doral. He had past experience with Miami Beach in 2005.
— Patrick Chalvire (@PatC_Alexander) September 5, 2014
In 2012, Shaq received his doctoral degree in education from Barry University, which he had been working on for over four years… I told you earlier Shaq continued with his education in a big way. This was not only a goal for Shaq but for his mother as well.
“This is for my mother, who always stressed the importance of education,” O’Neal said of obtaining his doctoral degree. “I am proud to have achieved a doctoral degree and wish to thank my professors and Barry University for helping make this dream a reality. I’m smart enough to know that, even at my tender age, my pursuit of education is never finished.”
Dr. O’Neal has since authored a number of children’s books and even started his own vodka line. Shaq’s post-playing career has also seen him become a successful entrepreneur.
He has invested in a number of well-known brands and even owns his own businesses, such as Big Chicken and Shaq’s Fun House. Shaq is also a successful DJ known as “DJ Diesel.”
DJ Diesel is not Shaq’s only nickname. In fact, he has many nicknames. A few of his famous nicknames are “Shaq Diesel”, “Wilt Chamberneezy”, “The Big Shaqtus”, “Manny Shaq-iaou”, “Shaqovic”, “Big Fella”, and “Shaq Daddy”.
Aside from his business ventures (and endless list of nicknames), Shaq also continues to give back to his community through his philanthropic work. In 2019, he founded The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, which aims to help children in need.
Shaq loves to help children out, as there are always videos popping up on the interview of him buying toys for children he just so happens to run across in a store. This just proves that Shaq’s heart is just as big as he is.
Shaq has six children of his own, four being with his ex-wife, the star of the show Basketball Wives, Shaunie Nelson. His son, Shareef O’Neal, is currently playing with the NBA G League Ignite.
Overall, Shaq’s post-playing career has been just as successful and impactful as his time in the NBA. Shaq has proven to be more than just a basketball player but a true champion both on and off the court.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
