An overview of the childhood and early education of Shaquille O'Neal, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, or Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player and current sports analyst. Standing at 7-foot-1-inch and weighing 325 pounds, he played center for six NBA teams over his 19-year career. O'Neal is a four-time NBA champion widely considered one of the greatest basketball players and centers in history.
On March 6, 1972, Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey. This marks the beginning of the life of the future basketball star.
After graduating high school in 1989, Shaquille O'Neal began studying business at Louisiana State University (LSU).
In 1993, Shaquille O'Neal appeared in the arcade version of NBA Jam.
In 1994, Shaquille O'Neal made several appearances in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), including at the Bash at the Beach pay per view, where he presented the title belt.
In 1997, O'Neal voiced an animated version of himself in Johnny Bravo episode "Back on Shaq".
In 1997, Shaquille O'Neal starred as John Henry Irons in the film Steel, becoming one of the first African Americans to portray a major comic book superhero in a motion picture.
During the 1998-99 season, the Los Angeles Lakers saw personnel changes with Nick Van Exel being traded to the Denver Nuggets and Eddie Jones being traded for Glen Rice to satisfy O'Neal's demand for a shooter.
In 1998, Shaquille O'Neal was initially chosen to host Saturday Night Live, but had to back out due to scheduling conflicts, however, he did appear in two sketches during the episode.
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, using the nickname Diesel.
In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal earned his B.A. degree in general studies from LSU, fulfilling a promise to his mother.
A month before the 2001-02 season's training camp, O'Neal underwent corrective surgery for a claw toe deformity in his left foot.
In 2001, Shaquille O'Neal appeared in the 311 music video for the hit single "You Wouldn't Believe".
In 2002, O'Neal participated in the Discovery Channel special Motorcycle Mania 2, requesting a custom bike from Jesse James.
In 2002, O'Neal voiced an animated version of himself in the Static Shock episode "Static Shaq".
In 2002, Shaquille O'Neal appeared in Quest for the Code as a voice actor.
Shaquille O'Neal missed the first 12 games of the 2002-03 season recovering from toe surgery.
In 2003, O'Neal reportedly wanted a role in X2, the second installment of the X-Men film series, but was ignored by the filmmakers.
In 2003, Shaquille O'Neal appeared in NBA Jam.
In 2004, Shaquille O'Neal appeared in NBA Live 2004 and NBA Ballers.
In June 2005, Shaquille O'Neal offered to pay all of the funeral expenses for Hall of Fame center George Mikan, who O'Neal considered to be a major influence.
During the 2005-06 season, O'Neal injured his right ankle and missed 18 games. Upon his return, coach Stan Van Gundy resigned, and Pat Riley took over.
In 2005, O'Neal earned an online MBA degree through the University of Phoenix, viewing it as something to add to his resume for a future "regular 9-to-5".
In 2005, Shaquille O'Neal had a reality series on ESPN, Shaquille, and hosted a series called Shaq's Big Challenge on ABC.
In 2006, Shaquille O'Neal appeared in NBA Ballers: Phenom.
In 2007, O'Neal appeared on the first Idol Gives Back.
In 2007, O'Neal hosted Shaq's Big Challenge, a reality show on ABC where he challenged Florida kids to lose weight and stay in shape.
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.
On August 18, 2009, the reality show Shaq Vs., featuring O'Neal competing against other athletes, premiered on ABC.
In 2009, O'Neal attended the Sportscaster U. training camp at Syracuse University and studied directing and cinematography with the New York Film Academy's Filmmaking Conservatory.
On August 28, 2010, Shaquille O'Neal reiterated his desire to fight Choi Hong-man in an interview at UFC 118 in Boston.
On December 20, 2010, Shaquille O'Neal conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Boston Symphony Hall.
In 2010, Shaquille O'Neal was also an unlockable character in UFC Undisputed 2010.
Shaquille O'Neal became a Freemason in 2011, joining Widow's Son Lodge No. 28 in Boston.
In September 2012, Shaquille O'Neal made a guest appearance on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)'s Impact Wrestling program, featuring in a backstage segment with Hulk Hogan.
In 2012, O'Neal received his Ed.D. degree in Human Resource Development from Barry University, with his doctoral capstone topic being "The Duality of Humor and Aggression in Leadership Styles".
On September 10, 2013, Shaquille O'Neal's stepfather, Philip Arthur Harrison, died of a heart attack.
In 2013, Phillip Arthur Harrison, O'Neal's stepfather, passed away. This event led to O'Neal reevaluating his relationship with his biological father.
In 2013, Shaquille O'Neal became a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings, expanding his influence beyond playing basketball.
In 2013, Shaquille O'Neal endorsed Republican New Jersey governor Chris Christie in his reelection bid, appearing in a television advertisement.
In 2013, Shaquille O'Neal had a voice over role in the film The Smurfs 2.
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.
In 2014, Shaquille O'Neal voiced an animated version of himself in Uncle Grandpa in the episode "Perfect Kid" and in the Lego Movie.
In September 2015, Shaquille O'Neal joined the cast of the South Korean variety television show "Off to School" while promoting Reebok in South Korea. He attended Seo Incheon High School as a student for three days as part of the show.
In March 2016, Shaquille O'Neal met his biological father, Joe Toney, for the first time after decades of estrangement, expressing forgiveness.
In April 2016, Shaquille O'Neal participated in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32, eliminating Damien Sandow and confronting Big Show.
In September 2016, O'Neal reflected on the 2010 playoffs, saying he believes the Cavaliers would have won a championship if he had not been injured.
In 2016, O'Neal lip synced "Love Shack" on Lip Sync Battle, which host LL Cool J noted was a "love song to himself".
In 2016, Shaquille O'Neal purchased a 14.3-acre compound in McDonough, Georgia, for $1.15 million.
In January 2017, after weeks of discussion and social media call-outs, the proposed match between Shaquille O'Neal and Big Show at WrestleMania 33 was cancelled.
In 2018, The sequel to the original Shaq Fu game, Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn, was released.
On November 11, 2020, Jade Cargill interrupted Cody Rhodes on AEW Dynamite and teased the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal in All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
In 2020, Shaquille O'Neal voted for the first time during the presidential election and participated in a virtual rally for then-candidate Joe Biden.
On March 3, 2021, Shaquille O'Neal teamed with Jade Cargill to defeat Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet on AEW Dynamite, paying tribute to Brodie Lee during the match.
In 2022, Shaqtoberfest, Shaquille O'Neal's Halloween event, premiered in Long Beach.
In 2022, Shaquille O'Neal ended his time as a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings.
In July 2023, Shaquille O'Neal purchased his first private jet, a $27 million Bombardier Challenger 650, complete with the iconic "Dunkman" logo on the tail.
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.
In 2024, Shaquille O'Neal collaborated with Fortnite to appear as player skins, including his DJ Diesel persona and rendition as LEGO minifigure in LEGO Fortnite.