Childhood and Education Journey of Shaquille O'Neal in Timeline

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Shaquille O'Neal

An overview of the childhood and early education of Shaquille O'Neal, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Shaquille O'Neal, known as Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player and current sports analyst. Standing at 7'1" and weighing 325 pounds, he dominated as a center for six NBA teams over his 19-year career. O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion and is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players and centers in history.

March 6, 1972: Shaquille O'Neal's Birth

On March 6, 1972, Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, the future basketball star, was born in Newark, New Jersey, to Lucille O'Neal and Joe Toney.

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1989: Studied at LSU

After graduating from high school in 1989, Shaquille O'Neal began studying business at Louisiana State University (LSU).

1991: Received Adolph Rupp Trophy

In 1991, while playing basketball at LSU, Shaquille O'Neal received the Adolph Rupp Trophy as NCAA men's basketball player of the year.

1994: Disdain for biological father

In 1994, on his rap album, Shaq Fu: The Return, O'Neal voiced his feelings of disdain for Joe Toney in the song "Biological Didn't Bother", dismissing him with the line "Phil is my father."

1998: Saturday Night Live Appearance

In 1998, Shaquille O'Neal was initially selected to host the second episode of season 24 of Saturday Night Live, but had to decline due to scheduling conflicts. Kelsey Grammer replaced him, but O'Neal appeared in two sketches during the episode.

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2000: Screen Actors Guild Strike Fine

During the 2000 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: Graduation 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. He missed a home game so he could attend graduation.

2001: O'Neal Undergoes 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 to return quicker.

2001: O'Neal Considers Toe Surgery

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 and considered corrective options.

March 2, 2005: Honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal Title

On March 2, 2005, Shaquille O'Neal was given an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal title and named the spokesman for the Safe Surfin' Foundation.

June 2005: O'Neal pays for George Mikan's funeral expenses

In June 2005, Shaquille O'Neal offered to pay for all of the funeral expenses for Hall of Fame center George Mikan, whom O'Neal considered a major influence. Mikan's family accepted the offer.

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. Shortly after, he helped police arrest suspects in a hate crime by providing a description of the suspect.

2005: Earned MBA Degree

In 2005, Shaquille O'Neal earned an online MBA degree through the University of Phoenix.

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 rural Bedford County, Virginia.

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.

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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.

2009: Training Camp at Syracuse University

In 2009, Shaquille O'Neal attended the Sportscaster U. training camp at S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He also studied directing and cinematography with the New York Film Academy's Filmmaking Conservatory.

December 20, 2010: Conducted Boston Pops Orchestra

On December 20, 2010, Shaquille O'Neal conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Boston Symphony Hall.

2011: Became a Freemason

In 2011, Shaquille O'Neal became a Freemason, joining Widow's Son Lodge No. 28 in Boston.

August 2012: Split with Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander

In August 2012, Shaquille O'Neal and reality TV star Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander ended their relationship after residing together in O'Neal's home in Sudbury, Massachusetts.

2012: Received Ed.D. Degree

In 2012, Shaquille O'Neal received his Ed.D. degree in Human Resource Development from Barry University. His doctoral capstone topic was "The Duality of Humor and Aggression in Leadership Styles".

September 10, 2013: Death of Philip Arthur Harrison

On September 10, 2013, O'Neal's stepfather, Philip Arthur Harrison, passed away due to a heart attack.

2013: Death of stepfather

Following the death of his stepfather, Phillip Arthur Harrison, in 2013, O'Neal's feelings toward his biological father mellowed.

2013: Endorsed Chris Christie for reelection

In 2013, O'Neal endorsed Republican New Jersey governor Chris Christie in his reelection bid, appearing in a television advertisement.

January 11, 2014: Performed Ceremonial First Puck and Drove Zamboni

On January 11, 2014, Shaquille O'Neal performed the ceremonial first puck and drove a Zamboni for a game between the New Jersey Devils and the Florida Panthers.

January 20, 2015: Sworn in as Reserve Officer in Doral, Florida

On January 20, 2015, Shaquille O'Neal was sworn in as a reserve officer for Doral, Florida's police force.

March 2016: Meeting with biological father

In March 2016, Shaquille O'Neal met with his biological father, Joe Toney, for the first time, expressing that he did not hate him and that he had a good life with Phil Harrison.

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. O'Neal holds the county record of Tallest Sheriff's Deputy.

2016: Purchased a compound in McDonough, Georgia

In 2016, O'Neal purchased a 14.3-acre, two-house compound in McDonough, Georgia for $1.15 million. The residence is named Shaq-Ingham Palace.

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.

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March 2018: Split with Laticia Rolle

In March 2018, Shaquille O'Neal and Laticia Rolle, a model, ended their relationship.

2020: Voted for the first time

In 2020, O'Neal participated in a virtual rally for then-presidential candidate Joe Biden and voted for the first time during the 2020 presidential election.

October 23, 2021: DJ Diesel Performance at Electric Daisy Carnival

On October 23, 2021, Shaquille O'Neal performed as DJ Diesel on the bassPOD stage at the 2021 Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2021: Inspiration for Jersey Number

In 2021, Shaquille O'Neal mentioned that his admiration for Patrick Ewing inspired him to wear the No. 33 jersey.

July 4, 2022: DJ Diesel at Jersey City Festival

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 a private jet

In July 2023, O'Neal purchased his first private jet, a $27 million Bombardier Challenger 650, featuring the Dunkman logo on the tail.

November 2023: Me'Arah O'Neal signs with Florida Gators

In November 2023, O'Neal's daughter, Me'Arah, signed her national letter of intent to play basketball for the Florida Gators.