Childhood and Education Journey of Shaquille O'Neal in Timeline
An overview of the childhood and early education of Shaquille O'Neal, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Shaquille O'Neal, or Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player and current sports analyst. Standing at 7'1" and weighing 325 pounds, he played center for six NBA teams over 19 years. Known as "Diesel" and other nicknames, O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion and is considered one of the greatest centers in basketball history.
March 6, 1972: Shaquille O'Neal's Birth
On March 6, 1972, Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey, to Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney.
1978: First Movie
In 1978, Shaquille O'Neal watched the 1978 Superman film in theaters for the first time and became a fan of the Superman franchise.
1989: Studies at LSU
In 1989, after graduating high school, Shaquille O'Neal began studying business at Louisiana State University (LSU).
1992: Missed Playoffs in Rookie Season
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was also the first time since O'Neal's rookie season in 1992-93 that he did not participate in the playoffs.
1993: Broke steel backboard supports
During his first season in the NBA in 1993, O'Neal's powerful dunks broke the steel backboard supports on two occasions. This prompted the league to increase the brace strength and stability of the backboards for the following 1993–94 season.
1994: Release of Shaq Fu: The Return album
In 1994, Shaquille O'Neal released his rap album Shaq Fu: The Return, which included the song "Biological Didn't Bother" expressing his feelings towards his biological father.
1995: Made one three-point shot
During the 1995-96 NBA season with the Orlando Magic, O'Neal made one three-point shot.
1996: Declined to play in international competition
After his 1996 experience, O'Neal declined to play in international competition.
1997: Starred in Steel
In 1997, Shaquille O'Neal starred as John Henry Irons in the film Steel, one of the first African Americans to portray a major comic book superhero in a motion picture.
1998: SNL Scheduling Conflict
In 1998, Shaquille O'Neal was initially picked to host the second episode of season 24 of Saturday Night Live but had to back out due to scheduling conflicts.
1999: Angered by FIBA AmeriCup squad overlook
In 1999, O'Neal was angered by being overlooked for the FIBA AmeriCup squad, calling it a "lack of respect".
March 6, 2000: Career-High 61 Points on 28th Birthday
On March 6, 2000, O'Neal scored a career-high 61 points, along with 23 rebounds and 3 assists, in a 123–103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on his 28th birthday.
2000: Screen Actors Guild strike and Disney commercial
In 2000, During the Screen Actors Guild strike, Shaquille O'Neal performed in a commercial for Disney and was subsequently fined by the union for crossing the picket line.
2000: Began Training in Mixed Martial Arts
In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal began training in mixed martial arts (MMA) at Jonathan Burke's Gracie Gym, learning boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and wrestling.
2000: Forwent Olympic Opportunity
In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal forwent an opportunity to participate in the 2000 Olympics, explaining that two gold medals were enough.
2000: Earned B.A. degree from LSU
In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal fulfilled his promise to his mother by earning his B.A. degree in general studies from LSU, with a minor in political science.
2001: Corrective toe surgery
A month before the 2001–02 season's training camp, O'Neal had corrective surgery for a claw toe deformity in the smallest toe of his left foot. He opted against a more involved surgery in favor of a quicker return.
2001: Toe Injury and Considerations
After the 2001-2002 season, O'Neal told friends that he did not want another season of limping and being in virtually constant pain from his big right toe. The corrective options ranged from reconstructive surgery on the toe to rehabilitation exercises with more shoe inserts and anti-inflammation medication. O'Neal was wary of the long-term damage his frequent consumption of these medications might have.
December 26, 2002: Marriage to Shaunie Nelson
On December 26, 2002, Shaquille O'Neal married Shaunie Nelson. They have four children together, including Shareef, and O'Neal also adopted Nelson's son from a previous relationship. O'Neal also has a daughter from a previous relationship.
2002: Declined participation in FIBA World Championship
In 2002, Shaquille O'Neal chose not to play in the 2002 FIBA World Championship.
2002: Toe Surgery and Recovery
O'Neal missed the first 12 games of the 2002-03 season to recover from toe surgery. He had hallux rigidus, a degenerative arthritis in his toe, and delayed the surgery until just before training camp.
2004: Rejected offer to play in the Olympics
In 2004, Shaquille O'Neal rejected an offer to play in the 2004 Olympics.
June 2005: Offer to Pay Funeral Expenses for George Mikan
In June 2005, upon the death of Hall of Fame center George Mikan, Shaquille O'Neal offered to pay all of Mikan's funeral expenses, which Mikan's family accepted. O'Neal considered Mikan to be a major influence.
December 8, 2005: Sworn in as Miami Beach Reserve Officer
On December 8, 2005, Shaquille O'Neal was sworn in as a Miami Beach reserve officer and later helped police track down suspects in a hate crime.
2005: Earned online MBA degree
In 2005, Shaquille O'Neal earned an online MBA degree through the University of Phoenix.
January 16, 2006: Reconciliation with Kobe Bryant
On January 16, 2006, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant made headlines by engaging in handshakes and hugs before a game, signifying the end of their feud.
September 2006: Participated in Police Raid
In September 2006, Shaquille O'Neal, as an honorary deputy, took part in a police raid on a home in Bedford County, Virginia.
2006: Declined Invitation to US preliminary roster
Although initially interested in being named for the 2006-2008 US preliminary roster, O'Neal eventually declined the invitation in 2006.
2006: Comments on flopping
In a 2006 interview in TIME, O'Neal said if he were NBA commissioner, he would "Make a guy have to beat a guy—not flop and get calls and be nice to the referees and kiss ass."
September 4, 2007: Filed for Divorce from Nelson
On September 4, 2007, Shaquille O'Neal filed for divorce from Shaunie Nelson in a Miami-Dade Circuit court, though the couple later reconciled and withdrew the petition.
2007: Shaq's Big Challenge
In 2007, Shaquille O'Neal hosted Shaq's Big Challenge, a reality show on ABC where he challenged Florida kids to lose weight and stay in shape.
February 2008: Altercation with Riley
In February 2008, O'Neal got into an altercation with Riley over the coach ordering a tardy Jason Williams to leave practice. Riley soon after decided to trade O'Neal.
June 2008: Special Deputyship Revoked
In June 2008, the Bedford County, Virginia, and Maricopa County, Arizona, sheriff departments revoked Shaquille O'Neal's special deputyship after a video surfaced of him rapping about Kobe Bryant and using racial slurs.
2008: Declined Invitation to US preliminary roster
Although initially interested in being named for the 2006-2008 US preliminary roster, O'Neal eventually declined the invitation in 2008.
March 3, 2009: Matchup against Dwight Howard
On March 3, 2009, in a matchup against Orlando, O'Neal was outscored by Magic center Dwight Howard, 21–19. O'Neal flopped against Howard.
June 17, 2009: Challenges Choi Hong-man to MMA Fight
On June 17, 2009, Shaquille O'Neal challenged kickboxer and mixed martial artist Choi Hong-man to a mixed martial arts rules bout in a YouTube video.
November 10, 2009: Nelson Filed Intent to Divorce
On November 10, 2009, Shaunie Nelson filed an intent to divorce Shaquille O'Neal, citing irreconcilable differences.
2009: Sportscaster U training camp
In 2009, Shaquille O'Neal attended the Sportscaster U. training camp at S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
February 25, 2010: Suffered Thumb Injury
On February 25, 2010, O'Neal suffered a severe right thumb injury while attempting to go up for a shot against Glen Davis of the Boston Celtics.
August 28, 2010: Reiterates Desire to Fight Choi Hong-man
On August 28, 2010, in an interview at UFC 118 in Boston, Shaquille O'Neal reiterated his desire to fight Choi Hong-man.
December 20, 2010: Conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra
On December 20, 2010, Shaquille O'Neal conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Boston Symphony Hall.
2010: Began Dating Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander
In the summer of 2010, Shaquille O'Neal began dating reality TV star Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander.
2011: Divorce Finalized
In 2011, Shaquille O'Neal's divorce from Shaunie Nelson was finalized. O'Neal blames himself for the failed marriage.
2011: Missed playoffs due to injuries
O'Neal missed games throughout the 2011 season due to an assortment of ailments to his right leg including knee, calf, hip, and Achilles injuries.
August 2012: Split with Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander
In August 2012, Shaquille O'Neal and reality TV star Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander split.
2012: Received Ed.D. degree from Barry University
In 2012, Shaquille O'Neal received his Ed.D. degree in Human Resource Development from Barry University.
September 10, 2013: Death of Stepfather
On September 10, 2013, Philip Arthur Harrison, Shaquille O'Neal's stepfather, died of a heart attack.
2013: Death of Phillip Arthur Harrison
In 2013, Phillip Arthur Harrison, Shaquille O'Neal's stepfather, passed away, leading to a mellowing of O'Neal's feelings toward his biological father.
2013: Endorsed Chris Christie
In 2013, Shaquille O'Neal endorsed Republican New Jersey governor Chris Christie in his reelection bid, appearing in a television advertisement.
January 11, 2014: Ceremonial Puck Drop
On January 11, 2014, Shaquille O'Neal performed the ceremonial first puck drop and drove a Zamboni at a game between the New Jersey Devils and the Florida Panthers.
2014: Began Dating Laticia Rolle
In early 2014, Shaquille O'Neal began dating Laticia Rolle, a model from Gardner, Massachusetts.
January 20, 2015: Sworn in as Reserve Officer
On January 20, 2015, Shaquille O'Neal was sworn in as a reserve officer for Doral, Florida's police force.
June 2015: Investment in Loyale3 Holdings Inc.
In June 2015, Shaquille O'Neal invested in technology startup Loyale3 Holdings Inc., a San Francisco brokerage firm.
2015: Shareef O'Neal in High School Basketball Highlights
In 2015, Shareef O'Neal was featured in high school basketball highlights as a 6-foot-7-inch freshman power forward, noted for having an athletic build and good shooting range, a different style from his father.
March 2016: Meeting with Biological Father
In March 2016, Shaquille O'Neal met with his biological father, Joe Toney, for the first time, telling him, "I don't hate you. I had a good life. I had Phil."
September 2016: Comments on Cavaliers loss
In September 2016, O'Neal reflected on the Cavaliers' loss to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs. O'Neal believes if he was healthy, they would have won a ring that year.
December 2016: Sworn in as Sheriff's Deputy
In December 2016, Shaquille O'Neal was sworn in as a sheriff's deputy in Jonesboro, Georgia, as part of Clayton County, Georgia Sheriff's Department.
2016: Lip Sync Battle Performance
In 2016, Shaquille O'Neal lip synced the B-52s song "Love Shack" on the television show Lip Sync Battle, with LL Cool J noting it was a love song to himself.
2016: Purchased Home in McDonough, Georgia
In 2016, Shaquille O'Neal purchased a 14.3-acre compound with two houses in McDonough, Georgia, for $1.15 million, naming it Shaq-Ingham Palace.
March 2018: Split with Laticia Rolle
In March 2018, Shaquille O'Neal and Laticia Rolle ended their relationship.
2020: Voted for the First Time
During the 2020 presidential election, Shaquille O'Neal participated in a virtual rally for then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and voted for the first time.
2021: Inspiration Behind Jersey Number
In 2021, Shaquille O'Neal mentioned that his admiration for Patrick Ewing inspired him to wear the number 33.
July 4, 2022: DJ Diesel Performance
On July 4, 2022, Shaquille O'Neal performed as DJ Diesel at the Jersey City 4th of July Festival with Flo Rida.
July 2023: Purchased Private Jet
In July 2023, Shaquille O'Neal purchased his first private jet, a $27 million Bombardier Challenger 650, featuring the "Dunkman" logo on the tail.
November 2023: Daughter Signed Letter of Intent
In November 2023, Shaquille O'Neal's daughter, Me'Arah, signed her national letter of intent to play for the Florida Gators.
2023: Attempted Grappling Match with Georges St-Pierre
In 2023, Chael Sonnen revealed that he once attempted to arrange a grappling match between Shaquille O'Neal and multiple-time UFC world champion Georges St-Pierre.
2024: Me'Arah's Freshman Year at Florida
The 2024-25 season marked Me'Arah O'Neal's freshman year at the University of Florida.
December 5, 2025: Participated in FIFA draw
On December 5, 2025, Shaquille O'Neal participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw.
May 2026: Earned Master of Arts degree in Liberal Arts
In May 2026, Shaquille O'Neal returned to LSU and earned a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Arts.
2026: 2026 FIFA World Cup
In 2026, Shaquille O'Neal also participated in the FIFA World Cup Draw.
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