"I didn't get in the car and everybody in the car passed away" - Shaquille O'Neal opens up about his near-death experience when he was a teenager in Germany
Shaquille O'Neal was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, but grew up in San Antonio, Texas. O'Neal also spent some time in Germany where his stepfather, "Sarge" Philip Harrison, was stationed. The LA Lakers legend recently opened up about a near-death experience he had in Germany.
During a snowstorm in Germany, a teenage O'Neal was out drinking with his friends. They then decided to go on a road trip, but Shaq refused to enter the car. Shortly afterward, the car was involved in an accident and no passenger survived.
O'Neal recounted the experience at a speaking event called "An Evening with Shaquille O'Neal" in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday.
"They decided to drive in Germany during a winter storm," O'Neal said. "Something told me not to get in the car. I didn't get in the car and everybody in the car passed away."
"After that I was like, You know what? I have to be a leader. I can't just follow guys because I'm trying to be cool.'"
After living in Germany until his sophomore year of high school, O'Neal and his family returned to the United States. They settled in San Antonio, where Shaq became a high school star. He then went to LSU for three seasons.
O'Neal was drafted first overall in 1992 by the Orlando Magic. He joined the Lakers in 1996 and led them to three straight championships from 2000 to 2002. He was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004 and went on to help them win their first title in 2006. He bounced around the league from 2008 to 2011, playing for three different teams before retiring.
Shaquille O'Neal compares his son Shareef to Giannis Antetokounmpo
Shaquille O'Neal was against the idea of his son, Shareef, entering the NBA draft this year. However, Shaq had no choice but to support his son in trying to achieve his dream of reaching the NBA. Shareef went undrafted, but represented the LA Lakers in the Summer League.
The 22-year-old was not signed by his father's former team, but received an offer to play for the G League Ignite Team. He accepted the offer and will start his journey to the NBA.
During the speaking event in Australia, Shaq compared Shareef to two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. He praised his son's skillset and shooting form, but stressed that Shareef is too nice on the court and should develop a mean streak.
"He's a fabulous player. He's like Giannis with a jump shot, but he has to figure out how to harness that energy. He's just too nice right now, a very nice, respectful kid. I always tell him, 'If a guy tries to bowl up against you, put your elbow right in his teeth and knock his teeth out.' That's how you do it."