Shaquille O'Neal

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

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.