Shaquille O’Neal, popularly known by the nickname Shaq, is a former American basketball player and rapper. He was one of the heaviest NBA players ever, standing at over 7 feet tall and weighing nearly 150 kg. After being chosen into the NBA in his early twenties, he quickly became one of the most successful players in NBA history, helping his teams win not just NBA championships but also Olympic gold medals. Throughout his career, he won various trophies, including the ‘NBA Most Valuable Player Award’ and the ‘Finals Most Valuable Player Award.’ O’Neal eventually retired in his late thirties.
Along with being a successful basketball player, he is also an actor, having played largely in supporting roles in films such as ‘Grown Ups 2’ and ‘Blended’, as well as various TV shows such as ‘Uncle Grandpa’ and ‘Off to School’. He is also a rapper, having released four albums to date, the most recent being ‘Respect’. He currently serves as an analyst for the popular television show ‘Inside the NBA’.
Biography:
Born: March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey, USA
Birth name: Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal
Nicknames: Superman, Shaq, Diesel, The Big Aristotle
Height: 7′ 0¼″ (2.14 m)
Childhood & Personal Life:
Shaquille O’Neal was born to Lucille O’Neal and Joe Toney. Since his father, Toney, was arrested for drug possession while Shaquille was still a baby, he gave up parental rights to O’Neal’s stepfather, Phillip A Harrison, an Army sergeant.
He graduated from Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio, Texas, and then attended Louisiana State University to study business. During his time at university, his basketball skills earned him the title of ‘College Player of the Year’. He dropped out in 1992 to seek a career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Shaquille O’Neal married Shaunie Nelson in 2002. They have four children. He also has a daughter from his former relationship with Arnetta Yarbourgh. Shaunie and O’Neal later divorced. He now lives in Orlando, Florida, where he also built an indoor basketball court.
Net Worth:
Shaquille O’Neal, a retired American basketball player, entrepreneur, TV host, and commercial endorsement, has a $500 million net worth. Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant and iconic centres in NBA history.
Awards & Honours:
- 4× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2006)
- Three-time NBA Finals MVP
- NBA MVP (2000)
- 15-time NBA All-Star
- Three-time NBA All-Star Game MVP
- Eight-time All-NBA First Team
- Two-time All-NBA Second Team
- Four-time All-NBA Third Team
- Three-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1993)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993)
- Two-time NBA scoring champion
- Olympic Gold Medal (1996)
- FIBA Basketball World Cup (1994)
- FIBA World Cup MVP (1994)
- USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1994)
Also Read: NBA Players With Most MVP Awards In NBA History
