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Top 20 Facts about Shaquille O’Neal

Originally published by Beatrice J in March 2022 and Updated by Beatrice J in January 2024

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the greatest American icon NBA players in history.  He was  an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA.

He has a height of 7-foot-1-inch and at the age of 10 years he was already 6 feet. After notable 19-year tenure on the hardwood, Shaq holds court on TNT’s Inside the NBA at the moment.

He was born on March 6, 1972 weighing 7 pounds 13 ounces. His mother, Lucille O’Neal, had just graduated high school, and his biological father, Joe Toney, was an all-state high school guard who lost his basketball scholarship to Seton Hall because of drug addiction.

His father was sentenced to federal prison, and when he was released, Lucille got Joe to legally relinquish his parental rights to Shaq’s stepfather, an Army drill sergeant named Phillip Harrison.

He at times go by different nick names such as Shaq Fu, Shaq and his early nickname “The Diesel” became Shaq Diesel that came from a 1993 rap album featuring Phife Dawg. Here are to 20 facts about Shaquille O’Neal.

1.At the age of 10 years Shaq was already 6 feet 4 inches tall

At the tender age of 10 years, Shaquille O’Neal was 6 feet and 4 inches tall. He caused fear and new prospects basket ballers to quit the youth basketball in the greater Newark in the mid-’80s.

From Shaq’s point of view he remembers a rival’s father once storming the court and removing his son from the competition mid-game claiming that Shaq was not 10 years old. By 13, Shaq had grown to 6 feet 6 inches and wore size 17 shoes.

2.He is quite studious

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on

Shaq is smart and this can be seen on how he took his studies seriously. During his time in college he was really focused and performed well. He was good in the classroom and had the highest grade point average on his freshman year team.

When he was called to play in the NBA in 1992 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic, he left college early but he managed to complete his studies and earned his Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, he earned a doctoral degree towards the end of his playing career.

3.His father was a hooper and a drug addict

Photo by Myriam Zilles on

His father’s name is Joseph Toney, who was a good basketball player. Unfortunately, he was also a drug addict who went to jail when Shaq was very young resulting to a strained to almost no relationship with his dad.

When he became famous, his father started reaching out but Shaq was not interested. He went further and openly expressed how he felt about his father in a 1994 rap song, Biological Didn’t Bother. It was not until in 2016 that Shaq finally agreed to meet his biological father.

4.As Lakers teammates, Shaq and Kobe didn’t initially click on court

Shaq spent about eight seasons with the Lakers and brought three NBA Championships to the city. Shaq and his teammate Kobe Bryant strangely couldn’t sync their play properly from the outset based on talent alone.

Consequently their mutual hostility and struggle for credit and control of the locker room started. The team’s turnaround happened when Coach Phil Jackson arrived prior to the 1999-2000 season.

This was possible after the coach’s famous triangle offense was installed that emphasized perfect spacing and high-IQ passing decisions. Read more about Unbelievable Facts about Kobe Bryant here.

5.He has a Platinium Album

DIESEL at the 2018 All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game, photo by Jeffrey Hyde.

Shaq’s like most players has profound love for hip-hop music. Among many talents like being named U.S. Deputy Marshal after training with police officers in L.A, he is a talented rapper and has released four albums right before winning the NBA title.

 His debut album was Shaq Diesel which sold a million copies and got the US Platinum status. Shaq can surely call himself a rap star.  The album features great songs that still remain peoples’ favorite.

6.Shaq has a major stake in eSports

Shaq was an early investor of eSports alongside Yankees vet Alex Rodriguez and former Phillie Jimmy Rollins in 2016. They all got involved in an ownership group that has a stake in NRG Gaming, a prominent organization of eSports athletes.

Shaq is the general manager of Kings Guard, the Sacramento Kings’ entrant into the NBA’s official 2K league, where competitors face off in NBA 2K, and the league’s preeminent basketball video game.

7. He was named Player of the Week in his very first Week in NBA

O’Neal and the rest of the Lakers with President George W. Bush in the White House, photo by Tina Hager.

Owing to Shaq’s amazing performances he was named the Player of the week during his first week. He is the first person to win that award in the first week of a Player’s NBA career. He is a special and talented player and during his time he made a single three-pointer.

These days a three-pointer is common but it was not the case during those days, but the truth is that he was not quite good at it. Read more about the top 10 facts about the Los Angeles Lakers here.

8.Shaq’s jersey number was inspired by an NBA legend, with a twist

Harrison was responsible for Shaq embracing his size and using it to score under the basket, rather than drawing back from his physical advantages. Harrison had been stationed back to San Antonio when Shaq was a teenager.

Shaq played basketball and led his high school team to a 68-1 record during his junior and senior seasons. The school didn’t own a No. 33 jersey, so Shaq’s attempts to honor Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were obstructed; resulting to his famous No. 32 jersey was born.

Read more about the 30 greatest NBA players of all time here.

9.He was sickened by the smell of alcohol

Photo by Chanbora Chhun on

At a very young age of 21, couldn’t stomach alcohol. Dennis Scott, his teammate, stated that he could not even tolerate the smell of table wine. This was a result of an experience he had in his childhood.

When he was young, he was caught by his father drinking a beer with his cousins. His father made him drink a 12-pack right then and since then he hated beer, the smell of it and any form of alcohol for that matter.

10.Shaq was famously left off the U.S. Olympic basketball team

O’Neal in 1998, photo by John Mathew Smith . Wikimedia commons

Shaquille O’Neal was not thrilled when the U.S. Olympic basketball team was chosen and he was left out. While choosing the best player to represent Team USA and take on the world at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Shaq was a junior at LSU at the time and fully eligible.

The spot was however snatched by Christian Laettner, a Duke standout who was thought of as more polished. He was not happy but the Team USA took home the gold in ’92, and they did again in Atlanta during the ’96 games when Shaq was part of the team.

11.O’Neal is also a successful businessman and entertainer

Beyond the basketball court, Shaquille O’Neal has established himself as a very successful businessman and performer. Shaq has broadened his business ventures by acquiring franchises in well-known businesses including Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

He has also demonstrated a strong interest in real estate, making calculated investments in buildings and companies. Regarding entertainment, Shaq’s versatility is seen in his musical career, as he put out multiple rap albums during the 1990s. In addition, he has proven his acting abilities by starring in films and television series, where he charmed audiences with his endearing and lighthearted character.

12.O’Neal is a licensed police officer 

He has worked as a reserve constable for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and holds a police licence. The fact that O’Neal is a law enforcement officer demonstrates his commitment to public safety and the community.

He actively supports maintaining the rule of law and developing good bonds between law enforcement and the communities they serve by accepting the position of reserve constable.

Shaq’s dual responsibilities as a reserve deputy and a basketball legend highlight his wide range of interests and his ambition to have a significant influence on society outside of the sports and entertainment industries.

13.O’Neal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016

One of the greatest basketball players of all time, Shaquille O’Neal was cemented into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. The induction into the Hall of Fame was a worthy homage to his extraordinary NBA career and many achievements.

O’Neal’s induction honoured his commanding presence on the floor, characterised by his remarkable shooting, rebounding, and scoring abilities as well as an all-around effect that had a lasting impression on the game.

The significant occasion of his induction ceremony honoured not just his individual accomplishments but also his contributions to teams that won championships and the enduring legacy he left behind in the basketball world.

14.O’Neal won the NBA Finals MVP award three times (2000-2002) in his career

Being named the NBA Finals MVP three times between 2000 and 2002 highlights Shaquille O’Neal’s pivotal role in leading the Los Angeles Lakers to three straight titles during that time.

These honours recognise his outstanding efforts on the biggest platform in professional basketball, highlighting his impact and dominance during the Finals. O’Neal’s capacity to raise his game at crucial moments was a major factor in the Lakers’ victories during those championship drives.

15.Shaq is one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and Finals MVP in the same year (1999-2000)

Shaq accomplished a unique and noteworthy feat during the 1999–2000 NBA season by being one of just three players to win the MVP awards for the NBA, All-Star Game, and Finals all in the same year.

This triple-crown accomplishment in 2000 emphasised O’Neal’s all-encompassing impact during that incredible season and demonstrated his unmatched abilities and influence across several elements of the basketball world.

16.He holds the NBA record for the most points scored in a single playoff series

Shaq’s performance in the 2000 Western Conference Finals, when he broke the NBA record for the most points scored in a single playoff series, is another noteworthy milestone.

O’Neal’s postseason dominance proved his ability to lead a team offensively and illustrated why he was a key player in the Lakers’ championship win. He scored an incredible 213 points during the series. His status as one of the most dominant and prolific scorers in NBA postseason history was further cemented by this performance.

17.O’Neal was the first  pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, selected by the Orlando Magic

Shaquille O’Neal’s basketball career started when the Orlando Magic selected him first overall in the 1992 NBA Draft. This signalled the start of an incredible career that would see him grow into one of the most recognisable and dominant players in NBA history. O’Neal won Rookie of the Year in 1993 thanks to his incredible agility, forceful playing style, and instant impact throughout his early Magic career.

18.Shaq won three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002

O’Neal was a key player in the Lakers’ three straight NBA titles from 2000 to 2002. Shaq’s strong interior presence complemented Kobe Bryant‘s scoring prowess, becoming one of the most formidable tandems in NBA history. O’Neal played a pivotal part in the Lakers’ championship victories during this time, as seen by his three consecutive NBA Finals MVP honours.

19.Shaq is known for his philanthropy, contributing to charitable causes

Outside the realm of basketball, Shaquille O’Neal is well-known for his charitable endeavours. He has demonstrated his dedication to having a good impact on underprivileged areas and individuals by actively participating in contributions to a variety of charity projects.

In addition to his accomplishments as a basketball player, O’Neal’s philanthropy demonstrates his passion to improve the lives of others and give back.

20.O’Neal is a sports analyst and commentator

Shaq became a sports analyst and pundit in the later years of his career and after retiring. He frequently made appearances on television shows about the NBA, contributing his own perspective, sense of humour, and charm to the broadcast industry.

Shaq became a well-known and amusing personality in the field of sports analysis as a result of his media appearances, which increased his influence outside of the basketball court even more.

Shaquille O’Neal is in fact one of the most dominant players ever to play in the NBA. He is no doubt naturally gifted. In his first match for the Magic, he took 18 rebounds and made a record for the most rebounds in an NBA debut after Bill Walton in 1974. He finished as a 4-time NBA champion and 15-times NBA All-Star.