Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal

Actor
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Life Story

Shaquille O'Neal is regarded as one of the most dominant athletes and arguably the most gregarious personality in sports history. He wrote an autobiography (Shaq Talks Back), preserves an online presence for his fan base and produced a number of albums (Biological Didn't Bother, Shaq-Fu: Da Return, etc.), and starred in select movies (Steel (1997), Kazaam (1996), Blue Chips (1994)). He has played for 4 NBA teams: the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat, the Phoenix Suns, and currently the Cleveland Cavaliers.

O'Neal graduated from Louisiana State University and is the only current NBA player with an MBA (Master of Business Administration). Shaq is also one of the few NBA players in history to reach the NBA Finals with three different teams. His charisma on and off the court helped create a worldwide reputation as "Godfather of the NBA."

As a result of his father's influence and military background, Shaq has made public service a priority in his life, ranging from donations to charities and organizations across the country to working as a reserve police officer in Los Angeles, Miami, and Phoenix. He intends to pursue a career in politics and/or sports ownership upon retiring from the NBA.

Family

Shaunie O'Neal (26 December 2002 - 2010) ( 4 children)

Trivia

Although he left Louisiana State University for the NBA after his junior year, he returned to LSU and, in 2000, graduated from the university with a bachelor's degree in general studies and a minor in political science. He has since earned two graduate degrees: a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2005 and a Doctor of Education with a concentration in organizational learning and leadership from Barry University in 2012.
After leading the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995 (where they lost to the Houston Rockets), he led the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive Finals wins in 2000-02 (winning the award for Finals Most Valuable Player all three times) and the Miami Heat to one in 2006.
NBA Most Valuable Player, 2000.
NBA All-Star Game MVP, 2000, 2004, and 2009.
Olympic Gold Medal with the U.S. basketball team, 1996.
Played 19 years in the NBA, for the Orlando Magic (1992-96), Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004), Miami Heat (2004-08), Phoenix Suns (2008-09), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-10), and Boston Celtics (2010-11).
A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
O'Neal and teammate Kobe Bryant engaged in a feud over shot attempts that lasted for several weeks. Following a 115-78 loss to the Phoenix Suns in December 2000, in which Bryant outscored him, 38-18, O'Neal asked to be traded; Los Angeles Lakers' GM Mitch Kupchak ignored the request.
Scored 10,000th career point. (10 February 1998)
Signed the then-richest contract in sports history, a seven-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $120 million. (18 July 1996)
When he was five years old, his mother had to carry his birth certificate with her to prove to bus drivers that he was not eight or nine years old because he was so tall.
Children: Daughter Taahirah (b. 18 July 1996) by ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh. With wife Shaunie Nelson has son Shareef Rashaun (11 Jan 00), daughter Amirah Sanaa, son Shaquir Rashaun (born at 1:52am, 19 April 03), and daughter Me'arah Sanaa (born 8lbs 1 oz,21 inches long at 4:57am, 1 May06) in Miami.

Nelson has son Myles from a previous relationship.
The West Coast Choppers "El Diablo" motorcycle built for him by Monster Garage (2002) host and West Coast Choppers owner Jesse James, was considered, at the time, one of the largest custom motorcycles ever built. The machine was painstakingly tailored for Shaq's huge frame, and features black-and-gold variations on the "Superman" theme, which Shaq has adopted as his quasi-trademark. According to James, Shaq commented, upon delivery of the bike, that it was the first vehicle that ever made him feel "normal-sized."

Personal Quotes 

[When asked whether he had visited the Parthenon during his trip to Greece:] "I can't really remember the names of the clubs that we went to."
[2012, on Kazaam (1996)] I was a medium-level juvenile delinquent from Newark who always dreamed about doing a movie. Someone said, "Hey, here's $7 million, come in and do this genie movie." What am I going to say, no? So I did it.

Filmography

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