171 Facts About Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal is a 7-foot-1-inch and 325-pound center who played for six teams over his 19-year career in the National Basketball Association and is a four-time NBA champion.

Shaquille O'Neal is one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year ; the other players are Willis Reed in 1970 and Michael Jordan in 1996 and 1998.

Shaquille O'Neal was honored as one of the league's greatest players of all-time by being named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team in 1996.

Shaquille O'Neal was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Shaquille O'Neal was elected to the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2017.

Shaquille O'Neal is an electronic music producer, and touring DJ, known as DIESEL.

Shaquille O'Neal has appeared in numerous films and has starred in his own reality shows, Shaq's Big Challenge and Shaq Vs Shaquille O'Neal hosts The Big Podcast with Shaq.

Shaquille O'Neal was a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings from 2013 to 2022 and is the general manager of Kings Guard Gaming of the NBA 2K League.

Shaquille O'Neal was born on March 6,1972, in Newark, New Jersey, to Lucille Shaquille O'Neal and Joe Toney, who played high school basketball and was offered a basketball scholarship to play at Seton Hall.

Toney struggled with drug addiction and was imprisoned for drug possession when Shaquille O'Neal was an infant.

Shaquille O'Neal remained estranged from his biological father for decades; Shaquille O'Neal had not spoken with Toney or expressed an interest in establishing a relationship.

However, his high school team did not have a 33 jersey, so Shaquille O'Neal chose to wear No 32 before college.

Shaquille O'Neal had first met Tigers coach Dale Brown years earlier in Europe when O'Neal's stepfather was stationed on a US Army base at Wildflecken, West Germany.

Shaquille O'Neal left LSU early to pursue his NBA career, but continued his education even after becoming a professional player.

Shaquille O'Neal was later inducted into the LSU Hall of Fame.

Shaquille O'Neal wore number 32 because Terry Catledge refused to relinquish the 33 jersey.

Shaquille O'Neal was named the Player of the Week in his first week in the NBA, the first player to do so.

Shaquille O'Neal was named the 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to be voted an All-Star starter since Michael Jordan in 1985.

On November 20,1993, against the New Jersey Nets, Shaquille O'Neal registered the first triple-double of his career, recording 24 points to go along with career highs of 28 rebounds and 15 blocks.

Shaquille O'Neal was voted into the All-Star game and made the All-NBA 3rd Team.

Shaquille O'Neal averaged 26.6 points and 11 rebounds per game, made the All-NBA 3rd Team, and played in his 4th All-Star Game.

Shaquille O'Neal was 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.

Shaquille O'Neal compared his lack of privacy in Orlando to "feeling like a big fish in a dried-up pond".

Shaquille O'Neal learned that Hardaway considered himself the leader of the Magic and did not want O'Neal making more money than him.

Shaquille 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.

On December 17,1996, Shaquille O'Neal shoved Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls; Rodman's teammates Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan restrained Rodman and prevented further conflict.

Shaquille O'Neal led the league with a 58.4 field goal percentage, the first of five consecutive seasons in which he did so.

Shaquille O'Neal won the scoring title while finishing second in rebounds and third in blocked shots.

Shaquille O'Neal opted against a more involved surgery to return quicker.

Shaquille O'Neal punched center Brad Miller after an intentional foul to prevent a basket, resulting in a melee with Miller, forward Charles Oakley, and several other players.

Shaquille O'Neal was suspended for three games without pay and fined $15,000.

Shaquille O'Neal referred to Divac as "she", and said he would never exaggerate contact to draw a foul.

Shaquille O'Neal was already wary of the long-term damage his frequent consumption of these medications might have.

Shaquille O'Neal did not want to rush a decision with his career potentially at risk.

Shaquille O'Neal was named MVP of the NBA Finals all three times and had the highest scoring average for a center in NBA Finals history.

Shaquille O'Neal was sidelined with hallux rigidus, a degenerative arthritis in his toe.

Shaquille 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.

The Lakers had hoped Shaquille O'Neal would take less money due to his age, physical conditioning, and games missed due to injuries.

Shaquille O'Neal made comments indicating that he felt the team's decisions were centered on a desire to appease Bryant to the exclusion of all other concerns, and Shaquille O'Neal promptly demanded a trade.

On July 14,2004, Shaquille O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a future first-round draft choice.

Shaquille O'Neal reverted from number 34 to number 32, which he had worn while playing for the Magic.

Shaquille O'Neal claimed one of the main reasons for wanting to be traded to Miami was because of their up-and-coming star Dwyane Wade, to whom he gave the nickname "Flash".

Shaquille O'Neal played in 73 games, his most since 2001 season, averaged 22.9 points a game along with 10.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.

Riley felt doing so would allow Shaquille O'Neal to be healthier and fresher come playoff time.

Miami returned to Chicago and closed out the series in the 6th game, highlighted by another dominating performance by Shaquille O'Neal who finished with 30 points and 20 rebounds.

The Pistons would win game 5 in Detroit, and Wade would get injured, but the Heat held on to win game 6 with Shaquille O'Neal scoring 28 points with 16 rebounds and 5 blocks to help Miami reach their first-ever NBA Finals.

The Heat struggled against the Bulls and although Shaquille O'Neal put up reasonable numbers, he was not able to dominate the series.

Shaquille 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.

Shaquille O'Neal started all 33 games and averaged 14.2 points per game.

Shaquille 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.

In 28 regular season games, Shaquille O'Neal averaged 12.9 points and 10.6 rebounds, good enough to make the playoffs.

Shaquille O'Neal averaged 15.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.

Shaquille O'Neal preferred his new situation with the Suns over the Heat.

Shaquille O'Neal responded with an expletive toward Riley, whom he often referred to as the "great Pat Riley" while playing for the Heat.

Shaquille O'Neal credited the Suns training staff with prolonging his career.

Shaquille O'Neal returned to the All-Star Game in 2009 and emerged as co-MVP along with ex-teammate Kobe Bryant.

Shaquille O'Neal was named as a member of the All-NBA Third Team.

On June 25,2009, Shaquille O'Neal was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Sasha Pavlovic, Ben Wallace, $500,000, and a 2010 second-round draft pick.

James was the leader of the team, and Shaquille O'Neal deferred to him.

On February 25,2010, Shaquille O'Neal suffered a severe right thumb injury while attempting to go up for a shot against Glen Davis of the Boston Celtics.

Shaquille O'Neal wanted the larger mid-level exception contract, but the Celtics chose instead to give it to Jermaine Shaquille O'Neal.

Shaquille O'Neal was introduced by the Celtics on August 10,2010, and chose the number 36.

Shaquille O'Neal missed games throughout the season due to an assortment of ailments to his right leg including knee, calf, hip, and Achilles injuries.

On June 1,2011, Shaquille O'Neal announced his retirement via social media.

Shaquille O'Neal was one of two players from the 1994 roster to be named to the Dream Team III.

Shaquille O'Neal averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds with 8 total blocks.

Shaquille O'Neal was upset that coach Lenny Wilkens played Robinson more minutes in the final game; Wilkens previously explained to Shaquille O'Neal that it would probably be Robinson's last Olympics.

Shaquille O'Neal was angered by being overlooked for the 1999 FIBA AmeriCup squad, saying it was a "lack of respect".

Shaquille O'Neal chose not to play in the 2002 FIBA World Championship.

Shaquille O'Neal established himself as an overpowering low post presence, putting up career averages of 23.7 points on.

Shaquille O'Neal led the NBA in field goal percentage 10 times, breaking Wilt Chamberlain's record of nine.

Shaquille O'Neal's imposing physical presence inside the paint caused dramatic changes in many teams' offensive and defensive strategies.

Shaquille O'Neal once missed all 11 of his free throw attempts in a game against the Seattle SuperSonics on December 8,2000, a record.

On December 25,2008, Shaquille O'Neal missed his 5,000th free throw, becoming the second player in NBA history to do so, along with Chamberlain.

Shaquille O'Neal only made one three-point shot during his entire career.

Shaquille O'Neal was a capable defender, named three times to the All-NBA Second Defensive Team.

Shaquille O'Neal's presence intimidated opposing players shooting near the basket, and he averaged 2.3 blocked shots per game over the course of his career.

Shaquille O'Neal called himself "The Big Aristotle" and "Hobo Master" for his composure and insights during interviews.

Shaquille O'Neal was fined by the union for crossing the picket line.

Shaquille O'Neal received media flak for mocking Chinese people when interviewed about newcomer center Yao Ming.

Yao believed that Shaquille O'Neal was joking, but he said many Asians wouldn't see the humor.

Shaquille O'Neal was very vocal with the media, often making jabs at former Laker teammate Kobe Bryant.

Shaquille O'Neal appeared on television on Saturday Night Live and in 2007 hosted Shaq's Big Challenge, a reality show on ABC in which he challenged Florida kids to lose weight and stay in shape.

Shaquille O'Neal was quoted as saying that he accepted the advice of NBA legend Bill Russell to make peace with Bryant.

On June 22,2008, Shaquille O'Neal freestyled a diss rap about Bryant in a New York club.

Shaquille O'Neal taunted Bryant for not being able to win a championship without him.

Shaquille O'Neal led the audience to mockingly chant several times "Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes".

Shaquille O'Neal released five studio albums and 1 compilation album.

Shaquille O'Neal was featured alongside Michael Jackson as a guest rapper on "2 Bad", a song from Jackson's 1995 album HIStory.

Shaquille O'Neal contributed three tracks, including the song "We Genie", to the Kazaam soundtrack.

Shaquille O'Neal was featured in Aaron Carter's 2001 hit single "That's How I Beat Shaq".

Shaquille O'Neal conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Boston Symphony Hall on December 20,2010.

In July 2017, Shaquille O'Neal released a diss track aimed at LaVar Ball, the father of NBA point guard Lonzo Ball.

On October 23,2021, Shaquille O'Neal performed his first ever set as DJ DIESEL on the bassPOD stage at the 2021 Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Subsequently, Shaquille O'Neal earned an online MBA degree through the University of Phoenix in 2005.

Shaquille O'Neal told a reporter for ABC News that he plans to further his education by attending law school.

Shaquille O'Neal has studied directing and cinematography with the New York Film Academy's Filmmaking Conservatory.

Shaquille O'Neal maintained a high level of interest in the workings of police departments and became personally involved in law enforcement.

Shaquille O'Neal went through the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Reserve Academy and became a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Port Police.

Shortly thereafter, in Miami, Shaquille O'Neal witnessed a hate crime and called Miami-Dade police, describing the suspect and helping police, over his cell phone, track the offender.

Shaquille O'Neal's actions resulted in the arrest of two suspects on charges of aggravated battery, assault, and a hate crime.

In September 2006, Shaquille O'Neal took part in a raid on a home in rural Bedford County, Virginia.

Shaquille O'Neal had been made an "honorary deputy" by the local sheriff's department.

On January 20,2015, Shaquille O'Neal was sworn in as a reserve officer for Doral, Florida's police force.

In December 2016, Shaquille O'Neal was sworn in as a sheriff's deputy in Jonesboro, Georgia, as part of Clayton County, Georgia Sheriff's Department.

Shaquille O'Neal is one of the first African Americans to portray a major comic book superhero in a motion picture, having starred as John Henry Irons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Steel.

Shaquille O'Neal is preceded only by Michael Jai White, whose film Spawn was released two weeks before Steel.

Shaquille O'Neal appeared as himself on an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, bedridden after Larry David's character accidentally tripped him while stretching, and in two episodes each of My Wife and Kids and The Parkers.

Shaquille O'Neal appeared in cameo roles in the films Freddy Got Fingered, Jack and Jill and Scary Movie 4.

Shaquille O'Neal appeared in the movie CB4 in a small "interviewing" scene.

Shaquille O'Neal appeared in a SportsCenter commercial dressed in his Miami police uniform, rescuing Mike the Tiger from a tree.

Shaquille O'Neal reportedly wanted a role in X2, the second installment of the X-Men film series, but was ignored by the filmmakers.

Shaquille O'Neal appeared as Officer Fluzoo in the comedy sequel Grown Ups 2.

Shaquille O'Neal voiced animated versions of himself on several occasions, including in the animated series Static Shock, in Johnny Bravo, in Uncle Grandpa, and in The Lego Movie.

Shaquille O'Neal had a voice over role in the 2013 film The Smurfs 2.

Shaquille O'Neal was featured on the covers of video games NBA Live 96, NBA 2K6, NBA 2K7, NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC, NBA Hoopz, and NBA Inside Drive 2004.

Shaquille O'Neal appeared in the arcade version of NBA Jam, NBA Jam and NBA Live 2004 as a current player and as a 1990s All-Star.

Shaquille O'Neal starred in Shaq Fu, a fighting game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis.

Shaquille O'Neal appeared in Quest for the Code in 2002 as a voice actor, Backyard Basketball in 2004, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 as a playable boxer, and as an unlockable character in Delta Force: Black Hawk Down.

Shaquille O'Neal appeared on NBA Ballers and NBA Ballers: Phenom, in the 2002 Discovery Channel special Motorcycle Mania 2 requesting an exceptionally large bike to fit his large size famed custom motorcycle builder Jesse James, in the first Idol Gives Back in 2007, on an episode of Fear Factor, and on an episode of MTV's Jackass, where he was lifted off the ground on Wee Man's back.

Shaquille O'Neal was a wrestling fan and made appearances at many WWE and AEW events.

Shaquille O'Neal was pranked on the MTV show Punk'd when a crew member accused him of stealing his parking space.

Shaquille O'Neal starred in a reality show called Shaq Vs which premiered on August 18,2009, on ABC.

On July 14,2011, Shaquille O'Neal announced that he would join Turner Network Television as an analyst on its NBA basketball games, joining Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley.

Shaquille O'Neal hosted the show Upload with Shaquille O'Neal which aired on TruTV for one season.

In September 2015 whilst promoting sportswear giant Reebok in South Korea, Shaquille O'Neal joined the cast in the South Korean variety television show Off to School where he went to Seo Incheon High School.

Shaquille O'Neal will be visiting Korea for a promotion and will be visiting the school on the last day.

In October 2022, Shaquille O'Neal signed a long-term contract extension with Warner Bros.

Shaquille O'Neal has made numerous appearances in television commercials, including several Pepsi commercials, such as one from 1995 which parodied shows like I Love Lucy, Bonanza, and Woody Woodpecker.

Shaquille O'Neal began training in mixed martial arts in 2000.

Shaquille O'Neal challenged kickboxer and mixed martial artist Choi Hong-man to a mixed martial arts rules bout in a YouTube video posted on June 17,2009.

In 1994, Shaquille O'Neal made several appearances in World Championship Wrestling, including at the Bash at the Beach pay per view, where he presented the title belt to the winner of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship match between Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.

In July 2009, Shaquille O'Neal served as the guest host for a live broadcast of WWE's Monday Night Raw.

In September 2012, Shaquille O'Neal made a guest appearance on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Impact Wrestling program, where he had a backstage segment with Hulk Hogan.

Shaquille O'Neal eliminated Damien Sandow, and had another confrontation with Big Show before being eliminated himself by most of the other wrestlers.

In July at the 2016 ESPY Awards on the red carpet, Big Show and Shaquille O'Neal had another brief confrontation.

Shaquille O'Neal made a cameo appearance on Being The Elite and it was later confirmed that O'Neal had been appearing backstage at recent AEW tapings, including Full Gear.

Shaquille O'Neal was an active bond investor in the early 1990s but continued to wade into stocks and made investments in various companies such as General Electric, Apple, and PepsiCo.

Shaquille O'Neal described what has worked best for him in stock investing was where he felt a personal connection with the company.

Shaquille O'Neal refused to endorse Wheaties cereal because he preferred Frosted Flakes.

Shaquille O'Neal was looking to expand his business ventures with real-estate development projects aimed at assisting Orlando home owners facing foreclosure.

Shaquille O'Neal's plans involved buying the mortgages of those who had fallen into foreclosure and then selling the homes back to them under more affordable terms.

Shaquille O'Neal would make a small profit in return, but wanted to make an investment in Orlando and help out homeowners.

In conjunction with Boraie Development, Shaquille O'Neal has developed projects in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, including, CityPlex12 and One Riverview.

Shaquille O'Neal is on the advisory board for Tout Industries, a social video service startup company based in San Francisco.

Shaquille O'Neal received the position in return for breaking news of his NBA retirement on the service.

In September 2013, Shaquille O'Neal became a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings.

In January 2022, Shaquille O'Neal sold his stake in the Kings.

Shaquille O'Neal has appeared in television commercials promoting the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive league ELeague.

Shaquille O'Neal owns 150 car washes, 40 health clubs, and the Big Chicken brand of chicken sandwiches.

In 2018, Shaquille O'Neal created the combination music festival, circus and carnival, Shaq's Fun House, in partnership with Medium Rare, which is held annually.

In early 2019, Shaquille O'Neal joined the Papa John's board of directors and invested in nine stores in the Atlanta area.

In 2021, Shaquille O'Neal, among other high-profile athletes and celebrities, was a paid spokesperson for FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange.

In 2021, the litigation ended with a court ruling that Shaquille O'Neal was entitled to $412,914.50 in legal fees.

Shaquille O'Neal issued a public apology, stating that he and Binion had spoken and that he's "made a friend today".

Shaquille O'Neal was raised by a Baptist mother and a Muslim stepfather.

On September 4,2007, Shaquille O'Neal filed for divorce from Shaunie in a Miami-Dade Circuit court.

In summer 2010, Shaquille O'Neal began dating reality TV star Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander.

Shaquille O'Neal began dating Laticia Rolle, a model, originally from Gardner, Massachusetts, in early 2014.

In June 2005 when Hall of Fame center George Mikan died, Shaquille 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.

Shaquille O'Neal is a 2009 inductee of the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

Shaquille O'Neal became a Freemason in 2011, becoming a member of Widow's Son Lodge No 28 in Boston.

On January 31,2012, Shaquille O'Neal was honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans.

Shaquille O'Neal is a fan of the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils, who play in his hometown of Newark, and has been seen at several games over the years.

On January 11,2014, Shaquille O'Neal performed the ceremonial first puck and drove a Zamboni for a game between the Devils and the Florida Panthers.

Shaquille O'Neal is a fan of English football club Northampton Town, and has posted videos of support to their official YouTube page.

Shaquille O'Neal is a fan of National Football League's Dallas Cowboys.

In 2016, Shaquille O'Neal purchased a 14.3-acre, two-house compound in McDonough, Georgia for $1.15 million.

Shaquille O'Neal endorsed Republican New Jersey governor Chris Christie in his 2013 reelection bid, appearing in a television advertisement.

Shaquille O'Neal participated in a virtual rally for then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and voted for the first time during the 2020 presidential election.

Shaquille O'Neal turned down a $40 million deal with Reebok after hearing a mother complain about how expensive his shoes were.