Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal

Personal Information

Debut 1203465600
Nickname Shaq
Spouse Shaunie

Shaquille O'Neal News

What happened to Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter Me'Arah? Exploring incident from Miami vs Florida women’s game What happened to Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter Me'Arah? Exploring incident from Miami vs Florida women’s game
What happened to Shaquille O’Neal’s daughter Me'Arah? Exploring incident from Miami vs Florida women’s game
"Big giant el feo"- Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal hilariously brush up their Spanish ahead of ESPN move "Big giant el feo"- Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal hilariously brush up their Spanish ahead of ESPN move
"Big giant el feo"- Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal hilariously brush up their Spanish ahead of ESPN move
$500,000,000 man Shaquille O'Neal forced to pay $11,000,000 to victims in fallout of FTX crypto scandal $500,000,000 man Shaquille O'Neal forced to pay $11,000,000 to victims in fallout of FTX crypto scandal
$500,000,000 man Shaquille O'Neal forced to pay $11,000,000 to victims in fallout of FTX crypto scandal
Shaquille O'Neal stokes beef with Dwight Howard as he flexes NBA rings to reject fight challenge Shaquille O'Neal stokes beef with Dwight Howard as he flexes NBA rings to reject fight challenge
Shaquille O'Neal stokes beef with Dwight Howard as he flexes NBA rings to reject fight challenge
"Shaq gonna disown him": Fans react after Shaquille O'Neal's son Shareef O’Neal names LeBron James as his GOAT "Shaq gonna disown him": Fans react after Shaquille O'Neal's son Shareef O’Neal names LeBron James as his GOAT
"Shaq gonna disown him": Fans react after Shaquille O'Neal's son Shareef O’Neal names LeBron James as his GOAT

Shaquille O'Neal: A Brief Biography

One of the most dominant centers in the league. He is a freak of nature standing at 7 '1 and weighing about 325 pounds he would just dominate opponents breaking rings and backboards were broken just for fun, as a big man in the league he made sure his presence was felt. Not a lot of players have statues of them, Shaq has a 10 foot long and 1500 pound figure hanging in the air mid dunk outside the staples center.He ranks 8th all-time in points scored, 6th in field goals, 15th in rebounds, and 8th in blocks. He famously called himself as, “ Diesel” "The Big Daddy", "Superman", "The Big Agave", "The Big Cactus", "The Big Shaqtus", "The Big Galactus", "Wilt Chamberneezy", "The Big Baryshnikov", "The Real Deal", "The Big Shamrock", "The Big Leprechaun", "Shaqovic",and "The Big Conductor.”

Early Life

Shaq was born on March 6 th 1972, in Newark, New Jersey. He was born to Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney, his father struggled with drug addiction and was imprisoned when Shaq was an infant.

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 a whopping 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) tall. He always gives credit to Boys and Girls Club America,"It gave me something to do," he said. "I'd just go there to shoot. I didn't even play on a team." Because of his stepfather's military career , the family often moved, they were in Germany and finally settled in San Antonio Texas. In a matter of three years he grew 4 inches to a bigger frame of 6 ft 10 in (2.08). he began playing basketball at Robert 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.

Shaq studied business at Louisiana State University (LSU). He had met coach Dale Brown years earlier in Europe when O'Neal's stepfather was stationed on a U.S. Army base in West Germany. While playing at LSU, O'Neal was a two-time All-American, two-time SEC Player of the Year, and received the Adolph Rupp Trophy as NCAA men's basketball player of the year in 1991; Shaq left LSU early to pursue his NBA career but did not forget his degree went on to continue his studies even after becoming a professional player. He was later inducted into the LSU Hall of Fame. A 900-pound bronze Shaq statue is in front of the LSU Basketball Practice Facility.

NBA Journey

He was always going to be a number 1 pick, he was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1992 and had a terrific start he was named player of the week in his first week in the NBA, A first to do that. O'Neal wore number 32 because they refused to relinquish the 33 jersey. During his rookie season, Shaq averaged 23.4 points on 56.2% shooting, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game for the season. He 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. Shaq increased his scoring by almost 25%. He started scoring 29.4 points on an average in his second season, he led the NBA in field goal percentage (60%). The Magic along with Shaq entered the playoffs for the first time. They were swept by the mighty pacers, but this was a great learning for Shaq who would continue to make improvements and become a force to be reckoned with.

In his third season, he went on to win the NBA scoring title and came in a close second to MVP David Robinson of the Spurs. He was scoring at 29.3% and welcomed his third All Star selection and All Nba third team. This time he would not be denied a trip to the finals, the Magic won their first ever playoff title by beating the Celtics in 1995. They went to beat the Bulls, they won their first ever finals berth by Beating Reggie Miller and the Pacers. Shaq had a very good finals performance averaging 28 points on 59.5% shooting, 12.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. But the Duo of Future Hall Of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler swept them in four games. Shaq was injured for 28 games during the 95-96 season, but still made the All Star Team. The Magic were no match to the Mighty Chicago Bulls and Shaq became a free agent after this season.

During the 96 offseason, Shaq signed a 7 year $121 million contract with the La Lakers. During his first season with the lakers averaged 26.2 points and 12.5 rebounds, although missing 30 games due to injury. He made the playoffs but they were eventually eliminated by the Jazz in five games. He along with Kobe Brayant would go on to tear the league apart by winning three consecutive titles in 2000,2001 and 2002. He was one vote away from being unanimous MVP during the 1999-2000 season. He would go on to win another championship with Dwayne Wade in 2005. He has always had a gracious personality, he usually buys random strangers whatever they want and also provides scholarships and helps out the community, he is currently working as an Analyst on the show Inside the NBA.

Shaquille O'Neal Awards and Achievements

Awards/AccoladesYearTeam
Adolph Rupp Trophy1991LSU
NBA Rookie of the Year1993Orlando Magic
NBA All-Rookie First Team1993Orlando Magic
USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year1994Orlando Magic
FIBA World Cup1994USA
FIBA World Cup MVP1994USA
Olympic Gold1996USA
NBA Champion2000La Lakers
NBA Champion2001La Lakers
NBA Champion2002La Lakers
NBA Champion2005Miami Heat
NBA MVP2000La Lakers
NBA Finals MVP2000La Lakers
NBA Finals MVP2001La Lakers
NBA Finals MVP2002La Lakers
NBA ALL STAR15 TIMESLakers,Miami,Magic,Suns,Celtics and Cavs

Shaquille O'Neal Records

  • Shaq has had 15 All-Star Appearances

  • He is the first player to be player of the week, in his first week.

  • Second person to play the All-Star Game as a rookie.

  • Highest scoring average for a center in NBA Finals history.

  • Three-time Finals MVP.

  • 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.

  • Number 32 retired by the Miami Heat

  • Number 34 retired by the Los Angeles Lakers

  • NBA 50th Anniversary Team

  • NBA 75th Anniversary Team

Shaquille O'Neal Net Worth

Shaq is worth around $400 million as of 2023, during his basketball career, he earned $ 292 million in salary. During the same time period, he earned well from endorsements of over $ 200 million. He takes home a salary of $60 million a year. A fun fact he spent the first million of his NBA salary in 30 minutes.

Shaquille O'Neal Family

Shaq married Shaunie Nelson on December 26, 2002. The couple has four children: Shareef Amirah, Shaqir and Me'arah. Nelson also has one son from a previous relationship, Myles. O'Neal has a daughter named Taahirah O'Neal from a previous relationship with his ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh

On September 4, 2007, Shaq filed for divorce from Shaunie in a Miami court. Shaunie later said that the couple reconciled their differences and withdrew their divorce However, on November 10, 2009, Shaunie filed an intent to divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

FAQs

Shaq being a shrewd investor has some amount of shares in Papa John's International and in recent times the value of his shares seemed to have increased to $6 million. He is a director in the company.
No, Shaq is not a billionaire; he is worth $400 million.
Shaq owns an impressive 155 5guys, 40 fitness centers, and a movie theater.
Shaq Rookie Cards depend on the condition the cards are in. The most expensive card is that of 1992 Stadium Club Beam Team Shaquille O'Neal (Members Only) RC #21. This card recently sold for $ 3500.
Shaq is worth around $400 million. He is a very shrewd and savvy businessman, he has multiple investments and he makes around $60 million a year as salary. He is making more money while being retired. A kind and generous human gives back to the community in ways he can.